Empty Nests Support Group

Empty nest syndrome is a general feeling of depression and loneliness that parents/other guardian relatives feel when one or more of their children leave home. Empty nest syndrome has become more prevalent in modern times, as the extended family is becoming less common than in past generations, and the elderly are left living by themselves.

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Do you fear your child?

JessicaChase
JessicaChase
I was not sure where to put this question, but I need to know. Does anybody else fear their adult child? Since my illness really took over my life, I and my other personalities fear my son. He's 22, married and in the Army over seas. When my illness really started to take over my life, 7 years ago, he becme insensitive, rude, disrespectful, does not take my illness seriously and he does not hide his disgust he feels towards me. Every time I think he has changed something happens and his abusive ways start all over again. My daughter who is older than he is totally gets my illness and loves me anyway. I raised them both the same. Yet, they are so different from each other. My heart aches for the love I cannot seem to share with my son.
I'm going to repost this to other groups just to get more respnses.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Jessica - Im sorry you have to face this in your life. I, too, have other'personalities'. When the children were little we told them a little about my illness, but never any of the graphics. I have 3 children 2 sons and a daughter. Now they are grown and gone and off with their life. I talk about this with my therapist all the time - I think they really don''t care or want to be bothered with my illness. We over-compensated when they were little - made life about them trying to take the emphasis off me and my illness. Now they are very self-centered people. This is all a very sad situation and often makes me want to just leave 'permanently'
Paulinaakk1
Paulinaakk1
I don't fear my children, but my middle son is ADHD and prone to emotional if not physical outbursts. I know at times I resemble an abused person. I am so afraid of making him explode. I know he will not strike me physically, but emotionally he will.
Just 10 minutes ago he came downstairs and asked for a box for his guinea pig. I told him there were some in the closet. He asked if they were put together and I said no. He started shouting at me I didn't care about him all I cared about was the stupid computer and I was so sucked into the game I wouldn't help him.
He is 21 and was not holding the guinea pig. I saw no reason why he couldn't get the box out and tape it and use it. A lot of times I just get up and do what he wants because it is easier than having him shout and rage how no one cares. Any little thing can set him off. Riding in the car if you don't slow down enough on a corner you are trying to make him sick. If you go somewhere without him and he wanted to go you don't care about it. Even the food you put on the table if it isn't his favorite you are being mean.
I know ADHD kids feel very unloved, but he takes everything so personal and gets upset over such small stuff. I hate his explosions and the hateful things he says to me when I have tried so hard to let him know I love and care about him.