thank you update/Sibling grief ramblings

slsh

member since 1999
I had to run up to TLP today to drop off a swimsuit, towel, and sunblock for thank you. He comes off total restriction on Monday and things are going ok - both his PSP and DS were stolen, breaks my heart that he is in that type of environment but it's unfortunately also been par for the course in most of his placements. Staff is encouraging him to file police report. There are also some peer issues - carry over from Residential Treatment Center (RTC) #2 and a couple of peers who were there with- him during his "I'm gay" stage. :rolleyes: He's handling it well, though. Is not terribly excited about upcoming freedoms but is very motivated to come home - I told him to give us 6 good months without major issues, and he *must* take advantage of new freedoms, and I'll advocate come 1/2008 for his return home. But he must do the majority of advocacy. He looked *really* good - still can't put my finger on it but he was clear eyed, clear headed, funny, and very appropriate, especially considering the fact that we woke him up, LOL. I think he's grown another 2" - he just towers over me.

Anyway, took Diva along with- me. She's so funny, an old woman in a little girl's body in many ways. As we're sitting at the dining room table (TLP is a converted 3-flat building, very much a home as opposed to institution), she glanced at the floor, leaned over to me and whispered in absolute horror "Why is Tyler here? It's so *un*sanitary!!" Which is really kinda funny because I'm not going to win any Good Housekeeping awards in the near future. But then she moved on to why he has to keep moving around. I shushed her at that moment - not a discussion to be held in front of thank you, I think, but the trip home was filled with many tears from her.

He left when she was 2. I doubt she remembers his first homecoming but no question she remembers the last. I explained the rationale behind placements, why he came home each time, why he couldn't stay. Told her that I really don't know if husband and I have made good choices but that we have done our very best, trying to keep thank you's needs as well as the siblings' needs in the forefront. Told it that sometimes it really bites being a parent and having to make these decisions - that placements were *not* what we wanted but *were* what we felt was best for thank you. Explained that this placement is actually a very good thing for thank you, is progress. Explained that thank you's mental illness may always make his life more challenging but that at some point it has become for the most part his choice - learn to live with and accommodate the illness or let it rule his life.

She's so very worried that he will get used to living in TLP and won't ever want to return home. She's one smart cookie - gets the whole "institutionalization" concept without realizing it. I told her that yes, that may very well happen, but that we really have no control over it. What we want, in the long run, doesn't matter. It is up to thank you.

She's angry that it's so unfair, and horribly saddened by it. I could only agree. I told her that it's okay to be sad and angry, not only about thank you but also Boo. It's not fair and there are days when it just is the pits, the whole darn thing. I told her that it's absolutely okay to allow herself to give in to the urge to just stomp her feet and pull her hair out but also that she needs to recognize there are some things that cannot be changed by the sheer force of our will (and this girl has an amazing will). Told her that beating head against brick wall will only give you a headache in the long run. Change what you can, make peace with what you can't, and grieve occasionally but don't let it consume your life.

Thinking about it, I don't think we've had the Diva drama (it is warranted in this case) over thank you in probably 4 or 5 years. I don't know if it's just been building, or if the new setting just flipped her switch this morning. Our family life is really pretty bizarre when you think about it but at the same time I *think* husband and I have done a decent job of making it fairly "normal". We don't kvetch about it. It is what it is. I do wonder how both Diva and Weeburt will view things as adults. I can only hope they're not too messed up and hope that, while I'm sure they will think husband and I did some things wrong, they'll see that we tried our hardest.

It was just so hard, watching my beautiful girl cry silent tears. She absolutely idolizes thank you and I don't know how to explain him to her in a way that will at least bring her peace. I emphasized that he is *safe* (thefts notwithstanding) and that he is now able to learn the things he needs to learn to be able to function as an adult. He may come home, he may not. We can't predict. In the meantime, we can love him and support him and encourage him, but we also need to let him find his own way a bit... won't do anyone good if he comes home for her or for me. He has to do it for him.

Hard to explain to my Diva.
 

crazymama30

Active Member
It must be very hard for her to deal with, and I think you did a good job of trying to explain to a child what can be mystifying to adults
 

Steely

Active Member
Oh, give little diva big hugs. I am sure she was just processing the latest transition in her own way.

Super good news that thank you is still doing so well. That is amazing! Just out of curiousity, did thank you's "gay stage" become permanent, or was it really a phase. I am going through this with my difficult child, and all the docs keep telling me it is just a phase, but I am just not so sure.

Again, I am so happy thank you is doing so well, and Diva will follow his lead and find peace as well.
 

slsh

member since 1999
Willow - thank you had hypersexuality from a very early age. He was probably 10ish when the gay thing started. My personal belief regarding thank you was that it was a combination of honest ambiguity combined with a way to set himself apart from peers and possibly push husband/my buttons. Button pushing failed - husband kept silent (hard for him but bless his heart he did it) and I honestly don't care about orientation - just be safe and happy. Peers of course wigged out because thank you had to broadcast to *every*one that he was "gay".

I don't know if it's a difficult child thing or a teen/young person thing, but at this point I wouldn't bet one way or the other as far as thank you goes. His difficult child girlfriend is supposedly "bi". He seems to me to be pretty hetero right now but... I guess because safety, respect, responsibility, and honesty are my priorities, I really haven't given it much thought either way. I take every opportunity to reinforce our family's moral preference for abstinence until marriage but I also emphasize safety and responsibility because we are talking about a difficult child.
 

Hound dog

Nana's are Beautiful
Diva is certainly wise beyond her years, isn't she? It's nice she still idolizes thank you. I hope that lasts. She seems like such a thoughtful, sweet little girl. It's so hard to explain such complicated matters to them when they're so young.

I'm glad thank you is coming off restriction and looks good. Are they putting Miracle Grow into his food? lol Keeping fingers crossed he is able to meet his goals.

Hugs
 

Liahona

Active Member
What a hard conversation to have with a 9 year old. She really is old beyond her years. I also think you handled it very well.
 

Wiped Out

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Sue,
First I'm glad to hear thank you is doing well. Diva sounds so sweet and it is neat that she so looks out for her big brother. To me it sounds like you handled the situation well! Hugs.
 
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