How can I protect my kids from my husband's depression?
My husband is suffering from severe depression. We have four young children and I was wondering if anyone has any advice
on protecting my children from my husband's depression without scaring them? At this point they just know that he's not feeling well - nothing more. I just don't want them to be hurt by or learn from his anti-social and erratic behaviors. I also don't want them to think less of my husband - they think he's the greatest person in the whole world!
Good morning
I'm no expert but I am a Mom of three kids and have terrible bouts of depression--I don't know your kids ages but mine are 13,10,7 and they understand when Mom is down or not feeling well first it not htere faults it Mom head messing up--I also talk to my kids about this when I am feeling better so they understand even more it not anything they have done or said--I even have to apologize at times if during one of my down spell I yell at them for more in likely nothing--since speaking to them about this they understand better and deal with it--I do this due to the fact I see signs of depression in my 10 yr old and don't want to wait until he is my age to realize something is wrong I want him to be able to handle now even though it is in early stages. Just talk to them on there level-I had a doctor tell me once if you be honest with your child about what is going on around them they can handle better and might have more questions but answer at their age level.
Good luck and take care
ladygraycloud/Suzanne
- Thank you for your input
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wife/mom
Monday, July 27, 2009 at 12:39 AM
Thanks so much for answering me. My kids are 6, 5, 3 and 19 months and I'm not sure how much they'll understand but like you said I'll try to do it on their level. Thanks again and good luck to you.