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TW: SI; Daughter tells me she has had a shit childhood

pinklollipop15Senior Contributor06 Aug 2025, 8:03 pm AEST

TW: SI; Daughter tells me she has had a shit childhood

Content/trigger warning

I had mental health issues 2 manias one in 2018 my daughter was 5 and one in 2023 my daughter was 11 and I wanted to suicide [edited by moderator] and told her so and attempted it.

I had mental health issues 2 manias one in 2018 my daughter was 5 and one in 2023 my daughter was 11 and I wanted to suicide [edited by moderator] and told her so and attempted it.

She tells me tonight she's had a shit childhood because of those times when I was walking off and in a mania and also that she thinks I was treating her like my therapist. She is 13 now and I don't know what to say other than I wasn't in my right mind. She is about to start seeing a psychologist herself and I said maybe she should talk to them about it. In my mind I've done everything for my daughter I haven't worked and I've been a single mum.ive gone to every school event, put her in heaps of extracurricular activities outside of school, kept her fed and clothed given her everything materialistially she could want except a ps5 and she feels like that's not enough??!! She is too young right and doesnt have the emotionally maturity yet to understand anything I have gone through? I feel really hurt.

7 replies

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In response to: TW: SI; Daughter tells me she has had a shit childhood

Emerson_GrayCasual Contributor06 Aug 2025, 8:20 pm AEST

Re: Daughter tells me she has had a shit childhood

@pinklollipop15

I can see exactly how hard it must be for both you and her. It would have been so, so hard for you going through that and raising a child, and she should consider that. But also, keep in mind that as she grows and matures, she may eventually understand how you were feeling.

I can't say that this will 100% happen, as all kids grow up differently, but I really hope that both of you are able to work through it and come to an understanding.

In response to: TW: SI; Daughter tells me she has had a shit childhood

tymeModerator06 Aug 2025, 8:21 pm AEST

Re: TW: SI; Daughter tells me she has had a shit childhood

Teenage years are such tricky years for parents @pinklollipop15

I can see how much you have provided and given her while also juggling your own mental health.

I hope she gets the support she needs through these years and that she'll eventually understand the sacrifices you made as a parent to support her.

At this time, I hope you find a way to practice some self-care. You deserve it.

If you are ever interested, there is a ReachOut parent coaching program you may want to look into: https://parents.au.reachout.com/one-on-one-support

It's just a way to get some extra tips on how to support your daughter's mental health

In response to: Re: TW: SI; Daughter tells me she has had a shit childhood

pinklollipop15Senior Contributor06 Aug 2025, 8:26 pm AEST

Re: TW: SI; Daughter tells me she has had a shit childhood

Hi @tyme

Thankyou i will look at that resource.

In response to: Re: Daughter tells me she has had a shit childhood

pinklollipop15Senior Contributor06 Aug 2025, 8:40 pm AEST

Re: Daughter tells me she has had a shit childhood

Hi @Emerson_Gray thankyou

In response to: Re: Daughter tells me she has had a shit childhood

tymeModerator07 Aug 2025, 9:28 pm AEST

Re: Daughter tells me she has had a shit childhood

How are you @pinklollipop15 ?

In response to: Re: Daughter tells me she has had a shit childhood

pinklollipop15Senior Contributor07 Aug 2025, 9:38 pm AEST

Re: Daughter tells me she has had a shit childhood

I'm ok thankyou @tyme it's been a busy day and another one tomorrow off to the psychologist for myself and will organise for my daughter and also taking my mother to a gp appointment. After all of it last night my daughter gave me a cuddle which she hardly ever does so for me that meant even though she may feel angry she still loves me so I went to sleep ok and I know it will be ok.

In response to: Re: Daughter tells me she has had a shit childhood

tymeModerator07 Aug 2025, 9:51 pm AEST

Re: Daughter tells me she has had a shit childhood

Awwww @pinklollipop15

In a way, I feel she is trying to navigate being a kid and being a teen. It's totally not an easy age. And there's plenty where that came from - unfortunately!

I hope she gets the support she needs to work through whatever she needs. Sometimes, the most you can do is to just be the mum for her. It's hard to juggle being a mum, carer, friend, therapist, doctor, etc...

Parenthood is a tough gig. I totally take my hat off to you!

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