Jamie-lee, I know your mom has an illness that affects her behavior. I don't fault her for that. I know that's not her fault. I have worked with many people with the same illness. But I also know that it is not the responsibility of a teenager to take care of their parent. And I also know that if things happen to your mom (which I hope they don't), that is not your fault. Your mom does deserve to have someone help her, but it should be an adult, not someone young like you who should be worrying more about their own growing up and school and in your case healing from past hurts. It's not your job to take care of your mom, no matter how much you love her. I am glad you have had some great times with her, and I hope you can have many more of those. But you are too young to give your teenagehood to be HER mom. I am thinking you have a whole lots of feelings going on inside right now. I know you want things to be the way they used to be when your dad was still alive. Unfortunately, they can't be, ever again. It is time to move forward, while still keeping the memory of him alive and the love in your heart. Don't screw up your own life just because you've been dealt a bad blow. You still have a chance to make it good. I hope you will.
Love you,
Terrie
Posted on Apr 5, 2002, 12:40 PM from IP address 152.163.207.202