A parent expresses concern after their 12-year-old daughter attempted suicide while they were away on a trip. Initially receiving therapy, the daughter has had fluctuating mental health and needed to complete school online due to anxiety. The parent struggles with letting her stay alone or with friends while feeling the pressure of ensuring her safety without excessive monitoring. The parent emphasizes the importance of therapy but is wary of pathologizing their child's experience, recognizing the need to find a supportive balance moving forward.
Now, of course, we have all medications locked up always, and we're hypervigilant about both that and her moods and mental health, even more than we were before.
I don't want to pathologize her, and she's sick of therapy and hates the idea that she needs any special care.
I've left her overnight for work trips since then, and she's been all right, but it's really stressful for me and my partner, and it's stressful for her too.
How do I take care of her without making her feel like I'm suffocating her?
Collection
[
|
...
]