Hi everyone,

My family is one that doesn't really allow showing of much emotion, and we have a habit of sweeping important problems under the rug. My mom has some severe problems with anxiety and depression, and has for my whole life, and my Dad is unable to face that. No one ever mentions the words depression or anxiety in front of him. I guess I've learned not to be very open with my opinions and feelings around them.

My whole adult life, I've been searching around for a way to help them, and I spend a lot of my weekends with them at my own expense. I don't get my laundry or shopping done, and I don't have too many friends I socialize with.

My mom is pretty good at using guilt to get me to come and see her. I just wish that she had some sort of help so she wasn't so lonely. I've given her self help books, and I'm getting up the courange to show her these tapes. Maybe that will help her to help herself.

I have gotten a lot more open with family about my own problems with anxiety and depression, and I think its getting to be less 'taboo'.

I really got a lot out of the assertiveness lesson, I need to work on that a lot.

I guess I just wrote this to let it out in the open somehow. To stop being afraid of it.

Thanks for listening!

HI,

Not everyone is interested in self-improvement. They may want a better life but unless they are searching for it it aint gonna happen. Accept mom and dad for who and what they are and just work on you. YOu will find a way to deal with the relationship as you grow and learn and it wont affect you so much. Practice what you learn in the program. YOu can love and take care of your own needs and still help out your parents. But dont let them take your time you need for you. YOu are important enough to tell them no. But it takes practice and time to change the 'song and dance' that you all have.

Reena