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Am I being irrational?

I think I mentioned before about my future SIL? Before our babies were here I think. She has bipolar II with rapid cycling (manic depression that goes in quick cycles so she will be depressed and manic many times over the year). My brother and her are getting married in a years time and will be living in my parents house for the first year. My issue is that my mum will be looking after Lucas one day a week when I go back to work in August. My FSIL will be there more of the time as she also has family issues (her sister has severe OCD, her mum depression and a severe attitude problem and her dad is an alcoholic!!!). I have always voiced my concerns about her ability to look after Lucas. She loves him to bits but I can never quite be sure if you can trust someone with a baby who has a severe mental health disorder. She has on occassion trashed her room and tried to kill herself or throw herself in front of traffic etc. She has never had an episode in front of me and acts normal most of the time. She hasn't had a very severe episode recently but I know she is currently in her manic state (especially getting obsessed over this wedding).

I can't help worrying about it and have told my mum and brother but they both think I'm overreacting and I have to stop worrying but I don't think it's totally unjustified. My mums reasoning is that she has been oked by the council to work in after school clubs after consultation with her doctor but thats totally different as she would never be alone with a child. I don't want to make thisa family dispute because I know that it would probably end up with me putting Lucas in a nursery and my mum not talking to me! Although, my brother goes quiet when I talk about it so I think he probably agrees with me but goesn't want to say anything.

I really want to sort this out before august but I don't know the way forward. I might email my brother and talk to him. I haven't approached her as I don't want her to feel bad because I know she would never intentionally do anything to hurt Lucas. She does sometimes check my posts (which freaks me out a bit as she has no kids and isnt planning any) so I'm hoping she won't see this as she is on holiday at the moment. If she does I hope she tells me so we can talk about it. I might have the courage to tell her one day but right now I don't want to hurt her feelings. It must be awful having something you know you'll have for the rest of your life and it willeffect everything- don't even talk about her and my brother having kids! She will have to go thru medication changes and close monitoring and everything!

Anyhoo, that was along post but I just needed to get this out. I'm feeling so alone with all this!

Replies

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    Hi Nic its definately a hard thing for you to deal with. bi polar is so hard to control that you cant be sure what they will be like from one day to the next-its the good day bad day senario. i definately understand your concerns. will she be left on her own with Lucas or will your mum be with her? its a difficult situation the only thing i can think off is to try to be honest with her.
    sending you a big hug

    Chris
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    Most of the time my mum will be there but I know shell ask to take him a walk to give my mum a break. Talked to my mum on the phone tonight just about bipolar in general not about Lucas but it was good. Might talk to my bro next and mention my concerns again.
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    Its hard enough leaving them as it is without worrying they are going to be ok. You need to ask your mum nicely to never leave him with this woman since her condition is so unstable.
    d x
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    Thanks everyone. The reason why I would email is that my bro isnt good about talking face to face and copes with email a little better. I will talk to him tho...
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