Hello Friends
I don't post much anymore, but I do read posts often. My difficult child graduated from college on Saturday and we just returned home. Only this board would understand how I feel. Of course, there is pride and happiness, but also a time for deep reflection.
Just like you, I have been through the wringer with my difficult child: unbelievable defiance, running away, cutting, early sexual activity, alcohol and marijuana use, stealing, school suspensions, arrests and one conviction. Not to mention the amount of money spent on reparations, therapy, changing schools, etc. I tried everything. Nothing worked. Things didn't get fixed until I stopped trying to fix them.
People who knew my difficult child before want to compliment me on her change. I always say it was my difficult child, not me, that did it. It was only when I let go, that things improved.
My difficult child is now 25. She had an interview set up on the next day after returning home. She joins the other college grads trying to find a job, but both of us are optimistic about her future.
I have been on this board for years, and came here after one of the lowest points in my history with my daughter. But we are now in a better place. This may sound strange, but even if my difficult child had not turned things around, I would stll be in a better place, because I know that I had done the best I could, and had to let go to let her find her own path. I came to accept that her path may not be the one that I wanted for her. That is what this board helped me to accept. I hope I can pass a little hope on to other board members.
I don't post much anymore, but I do read posts often. My difficult child graduated from college on Saturday and we just returned home. Only this board would understand how I feel. Of course, there is pride and happiness, but also a time for deep reflection.
Just like you, I have been through the wringer with my difficult child: unbelievable defiance, running away, cutting, early sexual activity, alcohol and marijuana use, stealing, school suspensions, arrests and one conviction. Not to mention the amount of money spent on reparations, therapy, changing schools, etc. I tried everything. Nothing worked. Things didn't get fixed until I stopped trying to fix them.
People who knew my difficult child before want to compliment me on her change. I always say it was my difficult child, not me, that did it. It was only when I let go, that things improved.
My difficult child is now 25. She had an interview set up on the next day after returning home. She joins the other college grads trying to find a job, but both of us are optimistic about her future.
I have been on this board for years, and came here after one of the lowest points in my history with my daughter. But we are now in a better place. This may sound strange, but even if my difficult child had not turned things around, I would stll be in a better place, because I know that I had done the best I could, and had to let go to let her find her own path. I came to accept that her path may not be the one that I wanted for her. That is what this board helped me to accept. I hope I can pass a little hope on to other board members.
