Re: Parents Feeling Constant Guilt/Depression

March 16, 2011

You sound pretty upset and frustrated. It almost jumps out of the screen. Does your son go to any therapies? Have you tried ABA therapy for his anger or behavior issues? How long has it been since you tried meds? There might be new meds out that you haven't tried.

Are YOU in therapy or on any medications? When my son was younger I had to go to therapy for a time to help me cope because I felt so helpless and at times hopeless. I was also put on anti-depressants after a major surgery and I still take 300mg of Welbutrin daily. It has made a huge difference.

I would ask that you PLEASE check into getting therapy for yourself and possibly medication. You are not doing your son a lot of good if you loose it. Something I do to help keep things in perspective is whenever I think "how unfair that I got stuck with a child that is so difficult and exhausting to raise" I remind myself that he didn't ask to be here. I chose to put him on this earth and he didn't choose to be born with Aspergers and have all these issues either. It was fate, or whatever. Either way it is my responsibility to do whatever it takes to help him navigate the world and develope the skills he will need to be independant. Whenever I think how hard it is to have a child with Aspergers, I think how hard it must be to BE a child with Aspergers.

Please try to find some help locally, like counceling, or a local support group. Also, try to find another way to help your son interact with other children. Do you have a local YMCA or social skills group?

As for others looking at you and thinking you're a bad mom or whatever. I know all too well how frustrating that can be. But just remember people are often judgemental no matter what. If your son was NT then they would find some other reason. Just try to find something that will help build your confidence level and then you can help your son build his.

Please know that we all feel your pain and we give your our "virtual hugs". We are here for you to vent to and to "let it all out" so to speak. <<hugs>> ne

From: cmt263 <gina9431@...>Subject: ( ) Parents Feeling Constant Guilt/Depression Date: Wednesday, March 16, 2011, 9:31 PM

I only have my 9 year old son and I am constantly feeling jealous and angry that my only son is so awkward.......and feel soooooooooooooooo guilty for feeling that way. Maybe if I had more kids it wouldn't bother me so much........maybe he would have built in friends. Now he has nobody. He is not getting along with others at school.....has pretty much no friends in the neighborhood besides the 4 year old boy next door (his 6 yo sister just announced today that she hates my son......she actually would play with him last summer). He begs me constantly to go play with kids, but doesn't get that they do not like him. I don't want him getting hurt (he has come home crying numerous times over things kids have said/done at school) and am trying to protect him, but he makes my life miserable if I say no! He is so defiant and has been getting really angry. He pushes me to where I am screaming and yelling at him.........then I put him to bed at night and cry

because I feel like the worst mother on earth. I have very little patience with him, because I never get a break. I have very little time where he is not being difficult, so I never get to build up any patience.I know I want what others have with their children, but I do.......it is just not that simple! Why were we chosen for this? Why does my son get to endure such a hard life and why do I not get to enjoy parenting? I want to watch my son play sports without worry about him being a bad sport and embarrassing me or tripping because he is so awkward. I want him to be known as a nice boy by teachers......I'm sure they all can't wait to get him out of their class. I want others to look at me like I've done a great job teaching my son respect and see the hard work I put in......but instead I get dirty looks and get told I should take a parenting class. It's not fair that teenagers and uninvolved parents have well behaved, athletic children.....yet

do nothing with them. I have spent so much time trying to teach my son to throw a ball......yet my 3 year old niece can probably throw better. Then again, she would probably stay at it longer......my son would get a leg cramp or have trouble breathing after 30 seconds! He couldn't even ride his bike around the block because the seat hurt him butt!!!! I think I have raised the wimpiest child ever!And I hate feeling these things about my own child. I feel like it is my sole job to make sure he feels loved and special because nobody is going to understand him......heck I don't even understand him. and when I think about the future it scares me cause I know this is only going to get worse. Kids are going to get meaner and he is going to stand out more and more as he gets older. Will he ever have any friends? What if he can't hold a job because he has anger issues and has such rigid thinking that he will not listen to anyone else. He thinks he is

always right now....which is starting to be reflected in his grades. He thinks he is right even if the text book clearly states the answer and he will argue to no end with me about it.Is there any hope? Will meds help the defiant behavior and social issues? We have tried meds before, but he has pretty much every side effect under the sun. I work so hard to help him but some days feel like giving in. He gave me such a hard time about his homework tonight I told him he could take it to school incomplete and get an F. He has had quite of few zeros this year for not completing work. I have worked my butt off to fight with the teacher to get him credit for work and to make up work, but he will just sit there and not do a thing but stare in to space and flat out tell me he is not doing it. Why do I care anymore? If it were not for me fighting for him constantly, he would have terrible grades. I just feel like giving up and letting him do whatever he

wants to do so my life can be easier. It just seems like he is going to struggle no matter what..............

March 16, 2011

hi gina my boyfriend son 15 does things like think he know a better way to do his math and will argue with the teacher i will ask was the answer right he will say no but my way is better lol he has said the book is wrong even video games he will say thats not possible that cant be done i know how you feelFrom: cmt263 <gina9431@...>Subject: ( ) Parents Feeling Constant Guilt/Depression Date: Thursday, March 17, 2011, 1:31 AM

I only have my 9 year old son and I am constantly feeling jealous and angry that my only son is so awkward.......and feel soooooooooooooooo guilty for feeling that way. Maybe if I had more kids it wouldn't bother me so much........maybe he would have built in friends. Now he has nobody. He is not getting along with others at school.....has pretty much no friends in the neighborhood besides the 4 year old boy next door (his 6 yo sister just announced today that she hates my son......she actually would play with him last summer). He begs me constantly to go play with kids, but doesn't get that they do not like him. I don't want him getting hurt (he has come home crying numerous times over things kids have said/done at school) and am trying to protect him, but he makes my life miserable if I say no! He is so defiant and has been getting really angry. He pushes me to where I am screaming and yelling at him.........then I put him to bed at

night and cry because I feel like the worst mother on earth. I have very little patience with him, because I never get a break. I have very little time where he is not being difficult, so I never get to build up any patience.

I know I want what others have with their children, but I do.......it is just not that simple! Why were we chosen for this? Why does my son get to endure such a hard life and why do I not get to enjoy parenting? I want to watch my son play sports without worry about him being a bad sport and embarrassing me or tripping because he is so awkward. I want him to be known as a nice boy by teachers......I'm sure they all can't wait to get him out of their class. I want others to look at me like I've done a great job teaching my son respect and see the hard work I put in......but instead I get dirty looks and get told I should take a parenting class. It's not fair that teenagers and uninvolved parents have well behaved, athletic children.....yet do nothing with them. I have spent so much time trying to teach my son to throw a ball......yet my 3 year old niece can probably throw better. Then again, she would probably stay at it longer......my son would

get a leg cramp or have trouble breathing after 30 seconds! He couldn't even ride his bike around the block because the seat hurt him butt!!!! I think I have raised the wimpiest child ever!

And I hate feeling these things about my own child. I feel like it is my sole job to make sure he feels loved and special because nobody is going to understand him......heck I don't even understand him. and when I think about the future it scares me cause I know this is only going to get worse. Kids are going to get meaner and he is going to stand out more and more as he gets older. Will he ever have any friends? What if he can't hold a job because he has anger issues and has such rigid thinking that he will not listen to anyone else. He thinks he is always right now....which is starting to be reflected in his grades. He thinks he is right even if the text book clearly states the answer and he will argue to no end with me about it.

Is there any hope? Will meds help the defiant behavior and social issues? We have tried meds before, but he has pretty much every side effect under the sun. I work so hard to help him but some days feel like giving in. He gave me such a hard time about his homework tonight I told him he could take it to school incomplete and get an F. He has had quite of few zeros this year for not completing work. I have worked my butt off to fight with the teacher to get him credit for work and to make up work, but he will just sit there and not do a thing but stare in to space and flat out tell me he is not doing it. Why do I care anymore? If it were not for me fighting for him constantly, he would have terrible grades. I just feel like giving up and letting him do whatever he wants to do so my life can be easier. It just seems like he is going to struggle no matter what..............

March 16, 2011

I know how you feel. What you just wrote sounds exactly what I write in my journals. It is hard, but I am finding that now that I know what he has, I am understanding him more and more. I sure don't have any answers for you because I am bbb still in your shoes myself. My son is 11 soon to be 12 in june. When he was 10 I was starting to think he was going to end up having a future as a criminal or something. This is definitely a hard road to travel as parents. As time goes by I am starting to see the places in my life that I need to work on. Friday I start counseling for myself. I know that I need to change how I react to my son. Yelling and screaming does not work, and I feel in the long run it makes his temperment worse. How can I help him control his angry outbursts when I am not controlling my own? I really feel for you and know your pain and frustrations. I think this group is great because it reminds us that we are not alone in this journey and we can help and support each other. Sent from myTouch 4G----- Reply message -----From: " cmt263 " <gina9431@...>< >Subject: ( ) Parents Feeling Constant Guilt/DepressionDate: Wed, Mar 16, 2011 9:31 pm

I only have my 9 year old son and I am constantly feeling jealous and angry that my only son is so awkward.......and feel soooooooooooooooo guilty for feeling that way. Maybe if I had more kids it wouldn't bother me so much........maybe he would have built in friends. Now he has nobody. He is not getting along with others at school.....has pretty much no friends in the neighborhood besides the 4 year old boy next door (his 6 yo sister just announced today that she hates my son......she actually would play with him last summer). He begs me constantly to go play with kids, but doesn't get that they do not like him. I don't want him getting hurt (he has come home crying numerous times over things kids have said/done at school) and am trying to protect him, but he makes my life miserable if I say no! He is so defiant and has been getting really angry. He pushes me to where I am screaming and yelling at him.........then I put him to bed at night and cry because I feel like the worst mother on earth. I have very little patience with him, because I never get a break. I have very little time where he is not being difficult, so I never get to build up any patience.

I know I want what others have with their children, but I do.......it is just not that simple! Why were we chosen for this? Why does my son get to endure such a hard life and why do I not get to enjoy parenting? I want to watch my son play sports without worry about him being a bad sport and embarrassing me or tripping because he is so awkward. I want him to be known as a nice boy by teachers......I'm sure they all can't wait to get him out of their class. I want others to look at me like I've done a great job teaching my son respect and see the hard work I put in......but instead I get dirty looks and get told I should take a parenting class. It's not fair that teenagers and uninvolved parents have well behaved, athletic children.....yet do nothing with them. I have spent so much time trying to teach my son to throw a ball......yet my 3 year old niece can probably throw better. Then again, she would probably stay at it longer......my son would get a leg cramp or have trouble breathing after 30 seconds! He couldn't even ride his bike around the block because the seat hurt him butt!!!! I think I have raised the wimpiest child ever!

And I hate feeling these things about my own child. I feel like it is my sole job to make sure he feels loved and special because nobody is going to understand him......heck I don't even understand him. and when I think about the future it scares me cause I know this is only going to get worse. Kids are going to get meaner and he is going to stand out more and more as he gets older. Will he ever have any friends? What if he can't hold a job because he has anger issues and has such rigid thinking that he will not listen to anyone else. He thinks he is always right now....which is starting to be reflected in his grades. He thinks he is right even if the text book clearly states the answer and he will argue to no end with me about it.

Is there any hope? Will meds help the defiant behavior and social issues? We have tried meds before, but he has pretty much every side effect under the sun. I work so hard to help him but some days feel like giving in. He gave me such a hard time about his homework tonight I told him he could take it to school incomplete and get an F. He has had quite of few zeros this year for not completing work. I have worked my butt off to fight with the teacher to get him credit for work and to make up work, but he will just sit there and not do a thing but stare in to space and flat out tell me he is not doing it. Why do I care anymore? If it were not for me fighting for him constantly, he would have terrible grades. I just feel like giving up and letting him do whatever he wants to do so my life can be easier. It just seems like he is going to struggle no matter what..............

March 17, 2011

Your message really disturbs me. I have a 3yr old recently diagnosed with Aspergers and I feel grateful that I was chosen to be his mom. Your email raises alot of concerns for me...and I can only hope that my patience level increases as his disorder evolves. I understand what you go thur on a daily basis, and I pray that you find the strength to endure these feelings that you are having and just know that there is help out there for you and for your son, you just have to find it. Please don't give up...remind yourself that your son did not ask to be this way, he cannot help what he feels or how he reacts. I know that there are several support groups available to parents, Easter Seals offers so much for parents and their Autistic

children. It would be so helpful for you to find other parents who go thru the same things as you and would probably just feel so good to be able to vent with other people experiencing these types of issues. Try not to take your frustrations out on your child, as horrible as you may feel, he feels 10xs worse. I wish you the best of luck...and I will say a prayer for you and for your child that you may both find some peace & acceptance.

From: cmt263 <gina9431@...> Sent: Wed, March 16, 2011 8:31:35 PMSubject: ( ) Parents Feeling Constant Guilt/Depression

I only have my 9 year old son and I am constantly feeling jealous and angry that my only son is so awkward.......and feel soooooooooooooooo guilty for feeling that way. Maybe if I had more kids it wouldn't bother me so much........maybe he would have built in friends. Now he has nobody. He is not getting along with others at school.....has pretty much no friends in the neighborhood besides the 4 year old boy next door (his 6 yo sister just announced today that she hates my son......she actually would play with him last summer). He begs me constantly to go play with kids, but doesn't get that they do not like him. I don't want him getting hurt (he has come home crying numerous times over things kids have said/done at school) and am trying to protect him, but he makes my life miserable if I say no! He is so defiant and has been getting really angry. He pushes me to where I am screaming and yelling at him.........then I put him to bed at night and cry

because I feel like the worst mother on earth. I have very little patience with him, because I never get a break. I have very little time where he is not being difficult, so I never get to build up any patience.I know I want what others have with their children, but I do.......it is just not that simple! Why were we chosen for this? Why does my son get to endure such a hard life and why do I not get to enjoy parenting? I want to watch my son play sports without worry about him being a bad sport and embarrassing me or tripping because he is so awkward. I want him to be known as a nice boy by teachers......I'm sure they all can't wait to get him out of their class. I want others to look at me like I've done a great job teaching my son respect and see the hard work I put in......but instead I get dirty looks and get told I should take a parenting class. It's not fair that teenagers and uninvolved parents have well behaved, athletic children.....yet

do nothing with them. I have spent so much time trying to teach my son to throw a ball......yet my 3 year old niece can probably throw better. Then again, she would probably stay at it longer......my son would get a leg cramp or have trouble breathing after 30 seconds! He couldn't even ride his bike around the block because the seat hurt him butt!!!! I think I have raised the wimpiest child ever!And I hate feeling these things about my own child. I feel like it is my sole job to make sure he feels loved and special because nobody is going to understand him......heck I don't even understand him. and when I think about the future it scares me cause I know this is only going to get worse. Kids are going to get meaner and he is going to stand out more and more as he gets older. Will he ever have any friends? What if he can't hold a job because he has anger issues and has such rigid thinking that he will not listen to anyone else. He thinks he is

always right now....which is starting to be reflected in his grades. He thinks he is right even if the text book clearly states the answer and he will argue to no end with me about it.Is there any hope? Will meds help the defiant behavior and social issues? We have tried meds before, but he has pretty much every side effect under the sun. I work so hard to help him but some days feel like giving in. He gave me such a hard time about his homework tonight I told him he could take it to school incomplete and get an F. He has had quite of few zeros this year for not completing work. I have worked my butt off to fight with the teacher to get him credit for work and to make up work, but he will just sit there and not do a thing but stare in to space and flat out tell me he is not doing it. Why do I care anymore? If it were not for me fighting for him constantly, he would have terrible grades. I just feel like giving up and letting him do whatever he

wants to do so my life can be easier. It just seems like he is going to struggle no matter what..............

March 17, 2011

I hope we can give you some support here.

First it is hard, having a special needs child. Focus on getting him and you

help, not on trying to fit in. It is really hard to see

a child be rejected, not have friends. I am going to guess that

since he is so ridgid and defiant he has an anxiety disorder

or chronic low level depression. It is hard in children

to use medication. Dr. Hollander as a book

" Clinical Treatment of Autism " gives very detailed information

on doses for AS kids. If he is up late, try to get that

treated some AS kids respond to melatonin, some to other

medications. Sleep is critical.

People do ask questions as you have " what if I only .... "

" what if I didn't drink and drive "

" what if we had more money " " what if we had less kids to feed "

You are grieving and this is a stage of grief.

I belive every life is purposeful and worthwhile. But being a

sole caregiver for any person with health issues is going to

lead to burnout though. And that is where you are ....to isolated ...

not enough support and treatments to have hope.

Here is one potential plan, you get a diagnosis, you advocate

to get your son into a special needs program and have him

in an extended school year where his social life is his

school, not his neighberhood. He will make some friends in

this program. His homework will be done at school and home

can be a place he comes home and rests. If he has outbursts

after school even in a supportive setting, you will find

a mood stabizer or antidepressant that helps him stay

better regulated.

Boys with AS make friends around video games, lego's, pokeman

and other gaming, some like Karate, some like swimming or else

it is good for them.

Getting your son's oppostional behavior under control is

important, prioritize things, he has to be non agressive at

home, he has to sleep, he has to get clean evenually and

he has to go to school (if he won't you need school special

services, don't force him).

I think you and your son can eventually find some shared interests

and enjoy each other. Look at what Floortime is, Dr. Greenspan.

I have hope that your suffering will lessen and you will see

the way out of this despair.

take care,

Pam

saht if abut there is no lo,..:w

>

> I only have my 9 year old son and I am constantly feeling jealous and angry

that my only son is so awkward.......and feel soooooooooooooooo guilty for

feeling that way. Maybe if I had more kids it wouldn't bother me so

much........maybe he would have built in friends. Now he has nobody. He is not

getting along with others at school.....has pretty much no friends in the

neighborhood besides the 4 year old boy next door (his 6 yo sister just

announced today that she hates my son......she actually would play with him last

summer). He begs me constantly to go play with kids, but doesn't get that they

do not like him. I don't want him getting hurt (he has come home crying

numerous times over things kids have said/done at school) and am trying to

protect him, but he makes my life miserable if I say no! He is so defiant and

has been getting really angry. He pushes me to where I am screaming and yelling

at him.........then I put him to bed at night and cry because I feel like the

worst mother on earth. I have very little patience with him, because I never

get a break. I have very little time where he is not being difficult, so I

never get to build up any patience.

>

> I know I want what others have with their children, but I do.......it is just

not that simple! Why were we chosen for this? Why does my son get to endure

such a hard life and why do I not get to enjoy parenting? I want to watch my

son play sports without worry about him being a bad sport and embarrassing me or

tripping because he is so awkward. I want him to be known as a nice boy by

teachers......I'm sure they all can't wait to get him out of their class. I

want others to look at me like I've done a great job teaching my son respect and

see the hard work I put in......but instead I get dirty looks and get told I

should take a parenting class. It's not fair that teenagers and uninvolved

parents have well behaved, athletic children.....yet do nothing with them. I

have spent so much time trying to teach my son to throw a ball......yet my 3

year old niece can probably throw better. Then again, she would probably stay

at it longer......my son would get a leg cramp or have trouble breathing after

30 seconds! He couldn't even ride his bike around the block because the seat

hurt him butt!!!! I think I have raised the wimpiest child ever!

>

> And I hate feeling these things about my own child. I feel like it is my sole

job to make sure he feels loved and special because nobody is going to

understand him......heck I don't even understand him. and when I think about

the future it scares me cause I know this is only going to get worse. Kids are

going to get meaner and he is going to stand out more and more as he gets older.

Will he ever have any friends? What if he can't hold a job because he has anger

issues and has such rigid thinking that he will not listen to anyone else. He

thinks he is always right now....which is starting to be reflected in his

grades. He thinks he is right even if the text book clearly states the answer

and he will argue to no end with me about it.

>

> Is there any hope? Will meds help the defiant behavior and social issues? We

have tried meds before, but he has pretty much every side effect under the sun.

I work so hard to help him but some days feel like giving in. He gave me such a

hard time about his homework tonight I told him he could take it to school

incomplete and get an F. He has had quite of few zeros this year for not

completing work. I have worked my butt off to fight with the teacher to get him

credit for work and to make up work, but he will just sit there and not do a

thing but stare in to space and flat out tell me he is not doing it. Why do I

care anymore? If it were not for me fighting for him constantly, he would have

terrible grades. I just feel like giving up and letting him do whatever he

wants to do so my life can be easier. It just seems like he is going to

struggle no matter what..............

>

March 17, 2011

None of us know why God chose us to parent a child with AS or why our children have AS. Yes, I know how difficult it is but as I have said before it is a roller coaster...ups and downs. Right now you are the down side...but you will go up soon. I know I have at some times hated that my son can't play sports, go to a school dance, doesn't have many friends, doesn't like to be in front of others and is angry all the time. I have cried many many many times. I have been hurt (mentally) by him and by my "supposedly" friends. I hate when they say...oh he is just a teen. My child...blah blah ....No our children are NOT the same...if your child gives you a hard time....then multiply it by 100 and that is my child.

Does medicine work? Too a degree....and you need to find the right one and the right dose. My son is on Adderal XR, Xanax (anxiety) when he needs it and prozac (small dose) and Geodon at night for his anger. He definitely needs his Adderal XR...even the few friends he has know when he hasn't taken it.

My son is an only child too so I know how hard it is. He constantly wants friends over. He used to call this one friend 10 times a day...I had to put a stop to it. Now he is 15 and girls have entered into the picture. Let me tell you it is very hard...but we have to look at the little positives....we need to remember that our children are special and that we are all here for you.

Another thing you didn't mention...does you son have an IEP? You can request his homework to be reduced. I had trouble with my son too. He would get so upset that he would break or throw the pencil and then hide under the kitchen table and would not come out. I finally would email his teachers. I let them work with him. They told me not to battle at home. I have backed off a lot now as he has matured. He still doesn't put a lot of effort in his schoolwork but that is because he hates it. He ususally ends up with grades in the 80's. He could do a lot better but we aren't fighting at home.

Keep posting and reading. What about summer camp. There are camps out there available for our children.

Jan

"In the Midst of Difficulty lies Opportunity" Albert Einstein

Success is not measured by one's position but by the obstacles one has overcome to obtain that position

From: cmt263 <gina9431@...> Sent: Wed, March 16, 2011 9:31:35 PMSubject: ( ) Parents Feeling Constant Guilt/Depression

I only have my 9 year old son and I am constantly feeling jealous and angry that my only son is so awkward.......and feel soooooooooooooooo guilty for feeling that way. Maybe if I had more kids it wouldn't bother me so much........maybe he would have built in friends. Now he has nobody. He is not getting along with others at school.....has pretty much no friends in the neighborhood besides the 4 year old boy next door (his 6 yo sister just announced today that she hates my son......she actually would play with him last summer). He begs me constantly to go play with kids, but doesn't get that they do not like him. I don't want him getting hurt (he has come home crying numerous times over things kids have said/done at school) and am trying to protect him, but he makes my life miserable if I say no! He is so defiant and has been getting really angry. He pushes me to where I am screaming and yelling at him.........then I put him to bed at night and cry

because I feel like the worst mother on earth. I have very little patience with him, because I never get a break. I have very little time where he is not being difficult, so I never get to build up any patience.I know I want what others have with their children, but I do.......it is just not that simple! Why were we chosen for this? Why does my son get to endure such a hard life and why do I not get to enjoy parenting? I want to watch my son play sports without worry about him being a bad sport and embarrassing me or tripping because he is so awkward. I want him to be known as a nice boy by teachers......I'm sure they all can't wait to get him out of their class. I want others to look at me like I've done a great job teaching my son respect and see the hard work I put in......but instead I get dirty looks and get told I should take a parenting class. It's not fair that teenagers and uninvolved parents have well behaved, athletic children.....yet

do nothing with them. I have spent so much time trying to teach my son to throw a ball......yet my 3 year old niece can probably throw better. Then again, she would probably stay at it longer......my son would get a leg cramp or have trouble breathing after 30 seconds! He couldn't even ride his bike around the block because the seat hurt him butt!!!! I think I have raised the wimpiest child ever!And I hate feeling these things about my own child. I feel like it is my sole job to make sure he feels loved and special because nobody is going to understand him......heck I don't even understand him. and when I think about the future it scares me cause I know this is only going to get worse. Kids are going to get meaner and he is going to stand out more and more as he gets older. Will he ever have any friends? What if he can't hold a job because he has anger issues and has such rigid thinking that he will not listen to anyone else. He thinks he is

always right now....which is starting to be reflected in his grades. He thinks he is right even if the text book clearly states the answer and he will argue to no end with me about it.Is there any hope? Will meds help the defiant behavior and social issues? We have tried meds before, but he has pretty much every side effect under the sun. I work so hard to help him but some days feel like giving in. He gave me such a hard time about his homework tonight I told him he could take it to school incomplete and get an F. He has had quite of few zeros this year for not completing work. I have worked my butt off to fight with the teacher to get him credit for work and to make up work, but he will just sit there and not do a thing but stare in to space and flat out tell me he is not doing it. Why do I care anymore? If it were not for me fighting for him constantly, he would have terrible grades. I just feel like giving up and letting him do whatever he

wants to do so my life can be easier. It just seems like he is going to struggle no matter what..............

March 17, 2011

You know, I just thought of something that has helped me. I have been reading books by parents that know where we are at. Right now I am reading "Shut up about your perfect kid". Don't love the title, but I like the book, it makes me feel like I am not alone in my feelings.... I also read "I'm no Mother Theresa"..... Both of them told their personal stories in a almost comical way and just made the reader feel like they aren't alone....

Carolyn

From: rushen janice <jrushen@...> Sent: Thu, March 17, 2011 6:16:24 PMSubject: Re: ( ) Parents Feeling Constant Guilt/Depression