Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New profile posts
Latest activity
Internet Search
Members
Current visitors
New profile posts
Search profile posts
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
Parent Support Forums
Parent Emeritus
21 year old son
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Childofmine" data-source="post: 672658" data-attributes="member: 17542"><p>Hi again Greg...I live in a mid-size college town and I'm very visible here because of my profession. A lot of people know about my son's troubles.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I wrestled with this a lot. I felt ashamed. I felt guilty. I was jealous of other people and all of their kids' great accomplishments. I felt like my son's name would never be "clean" again and his actions were going to follow him forever.</p><p></p><p>I used to say nothing. Sometimes I said too much. I used to change the subject when it was about to be my turn to talk about "my kids and what they're doing now." I didn't go places because I didn't want to be asked.</p><p></p><p>Over time, I came to believe that nothing I did or didn't do caused this. And I have also come to believe that it's not only okay, but it's good, to talk briefly and honestly about what I have been through.</p><p></p><p>My only struggle with it today is protecting my son's anonymity. I don't want to label him myself---he is the only one who can call himself a drug addict or an alcoholic...not me. </p><p></p><p>Anyway, I really understand how hard it is. My son is well known to the police here and I know the police here, including being friends with the Chief. </p><p></p><p>Anyway...I get it. I can only say work to hold your head up and tell whatever amount of truth you want to tell.</p><p></p><p>People have struggles in this world, and mental health struggles are still one of the last frontiers of shame and guilt and silence. </p><p></p><p>At this point, I feel like I want to shed light on some of this, but within parameters and within the bounds of appropriateness. You may not feel that way.</p><p></p><p>There are so many people who struggle with their kids and their choices...but never talk about it. </p><p></p><p>When I started talking about it, I was amazed at the people who came out of the woodwork to start talking about their own situations.</p><p></p><p>Hang in there.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Childofmine, post: 672658, member: 17542"] Hi again Greg...I live in a mid-size college town and I'm very visible here because of my profession. A lot of people know about my son's troubles. I wrestled with this a lot. I felt ashamed. I felt guilty. I was jealous of other people and all of their kids' great accomplishments. I felt like my son's name would never be "clean" again and his actions were going to follow him forever. I used to say nothing. Sometimes I said too much. I used to change the subject when it was about to be my turn to talk about "my kids and what they're doing now." I didn't go places because I didn't want to be asked. Over time, I came to believe that nothing I did or didn't do caused this. And I have also come to believe that it's not only okay, but it's good, to talk briefly and honestly about what I have been through. My only struggle with it today is protecting my son's anonymity. I don't want to label him myself---he is the only one who can call himself a drug addict or an alcoholic...not me. Anyway, I really understand how hard it is. My son is well known to the police here and I know the police here, including being friends with the Chief. Anyway...I get it. I can only say work to hold your head up and tell whatever amount of truth you want to tell. People have struggles in this world, and mental health struggles are still one of the last frontiers of shame and guilt and silence. At this point, I feel like I want to shed light on some of this, but within parameters and within the bounds of appropriateness. You may not feel that way. There are so many people who struggle with their kids and their choices...but never talk about it. When I started talking about it, I was amazed at the people who came out of the woodwork to start talking about their own situations. Hang in there. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Parent Support Forums
Parent Emeritus
21 year old son
Top