About 7 years ago- I did tough love with son for 6 months. I wouldn't take his calls. He had started calling several times a week with his drama, need for money. He was in jail and even had someone call from the jail to tell me "Hi I protecting your son- I know he is mentally challenged and I am protecting him but I am getting out tomorrow and your son needs 500.00 to get out jail. That was it for me. I lost sleep that night with all sorts of thoughts of him being beat up, molested, etc. Then I found out it was all a ruse for me to get him out of jail. I stopped the calls. It was hard but the longer I went without talking to him the more I was able to accept my decision and get on with my life without his drama and desperate pleas for money. Fast forward 5 years later he tells me that was the best thing I ever did for him- tough love, not taking my calls. He did well for a few years until this past year when he started down that road again.
Take as long as you need until you are emotionally, mentally ready to re-engage with your Difficult Child. They destroy our psyche, cause us to doubt ourselves, lay guilt on us for not helping them every time they call.
