This is a selfie of my daughter and I, taken minutes before she competed in a speech and debate tournament with her school team, and it was my first time judging for the tournament. What is it that makes a healthy well-adjusted beautiful young girl with goals, hobbies, friends and a strong family support system, struggle with self harm and suicidal thinking? I don't know the answer to this question but I am learning as a mom that I cannot immunize my children from the struggles of today, by giving them neither love, support, affirmation, nor iphones, laptops or other belongings. So for now, remembering there is no immunization, no assurance, no promises, I savor the fun, brace myself for the hard days, and remember to say "I love you. You are enough just the way you are."
Hi Stacy, I feel for where you're at. If you can interest her in speaking some affirmations about herself, that could be helpful. Working on coping skills might help too, without addressing the self harming. Everything we read and learned about self harming stated not to directly address it to avoid it becoming a control issue. Everyone is different of course. Just some thoughts. Thank you for posting. I think it's great for moms to stick together. It is hard to watch them struggle....