Supporting my wife who lives with Borderline Personality Disorder while maintaining self care.

Yep. Not a good time for being a tourist. People don't realise that 15cms of water can be enough to make a car lose traction. We've once driven through shallow floodwater, having watched a car drive safely through from the other direction first. That was an absolute exception to the rule for us... we were in the next town over when the water started coming up, and three of our four kids were at home nervously watching the creek rise. That one missed reaching our house by about 10cms of rise.

But you've only half answered my question- how are you and the family going? It's high stress watching a flood happening around you, even when you know your own house is high and dry.

We are our version of doing ok @Smc

Our biggest drama is Darling worrying about being able to get groceries with panic buying that is happening atm.

Managed our usual shop today without needing and significant adjustments asked on availability.

Received a verbal job offer today.

I am a bit anxious about entering full time employment with the unstable covid evolving environment. And how Darling is going to cope.

(Edited 👇)

Potentially a great opportunity but may require some support from family to make it work. The desire for independence from centrelink seemed like a good idea at the time now I am a bit concerned about how wise it is. But at the same time if we are ever going to break the cycle and get out of the rut I feel we are (I am) in this is a good start.

Know what you mean about a rut @Determined. 😕 We'd love to be Centrelink free, but know it's not an option for us at the moment.
Glad to hear you're otherwise as OK as can be expected.

Job is possible (sort of) @Smc as it is only in school term. That means I can be available when children are not at school.

My mum is happy to help out but will be making darling do stuff for herself

(The care taker v care giver hypothesis)

Mum is worried I do to much and where would that leave darling and the boys if something happened and I was not here to do everything. Fair concern.

Have been discussing with darling creating a book of essential information. So she (and helper) would have somewhere to start if ever needed.

There is so much I just do as it comes along without know how or why if you asked me ahead of times what needed to be done so a bit of a process ahead. NDIS support coordinator gave me a big lecture about this ( in an encouraging positive way)

you have lots to things to think about @Determined and hoping it all works out all ok for you and your family

the new system up here is giving us lots and lots of rain at the moment

we have cut out half of our workload due to mr shaz and my elderly mum

hello and hugs @Smc

Hugs back to you @Shaz51. Stay safe in the wild weather.

@Determined, I think what happens is over time we get tuned in to assorted "signals" from our family member/caree and almost unconsciously adjust how we do things. Younger Son having a steady girlfriend who has been joining in our family gatherings has really highlighted this to us lately, but I'd be struggling to explain how we do what we do, and maybe even why... we just do what we need to to keep some semblance of family functionality. But having another person in the mix (in your case, the NDIS co-ordinator) means you get an outsider's viewpoint, and gee things look different to someone who's not acclimatised to it.
And sadly, one thing it shows up is that the definition of "functional" gets gradually eroded over time until it doesn't really resemble what others would consider "functional". 😞 It's still better than completely falling in a heap, but.... yeah.

Yep @Smc

That about sums up why I often answer when asked how we are managing that we are doing 'our version of ok'...

Hi all,

Feeling happy, sad, excited and a little nervous all at once today.

Worked my last shift at a job I have been in for the past 4 years. Have been at the campus studying for closer to 8 years.

It is the closing of a messy chapter for our family. The space + work + study there has been a refuge and compas to keep me moving forward during some dark days. But also some happy milestones as well. Going to miss it but at the same time it is a good door to close and I am looking Forward to new opportunities.

I start a new job on Monday.

First full time job in 8 years. Going to be some adjustments for all. Most of all darling. But also a great opportunity for her also to gain some more confidence and independence.

Thankful for the support of.family to make this possible.