18 Comments
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Laura Fissinger's avatar

You are such a fine mom!

I too live with depression (plus a couple other psych issues). A parent like you can help a loving, sensitive kid with the massive challenge of self-love.

You are blessed to have each other. 🩵💙💛

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The Sensitive Artist's avatar

Thank you for giving me such a kind compliment!

Depression can definitely suck the life out of us. I hate that I passed it to my children. All four of my kids are amazing little people and I’m blessed to have each one of them! Their personalities and strengths are all so different and they all shine in different ways.🩷

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Laura Fissinger's avatar

But you passed on a lot of good things too! That’s more important.

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William Weaver's avatar

Kids can be so mean. Every little thing they notice and make fun of. Life is long though and this is just an opportunity for her to gain strength through this pain. Easy to say as an older adult, but it will get better and she will get stronger.

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The Sensitive Artist's avatar

This is so true. She is like me in the way that she feels things deeply. She’s resilient, though — I know she’ll be fine. Still it’s a heartbreaking reality to witness our children learn that the world can be a cruel place.

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William Weaver's avatar

It is hard to watch. Our 17 year old is stuck in a relationship with a girl who is all over his every move and won’t let him break up with her. It’s ridiucous, but it hurts him. 5 years from now it will just be a memory but right now, it’s an emotional ordeal. It’s hard not to be able to fix it for them…especially when you ‘know’ how it will end up and how trivial all these things will be just a few years from now.

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The Sensitive Artist's avatar

I know this too well. When my son was about that age, we actually had to take him to the hospital a couple times because things got so severe over girl issues, that he expressed that he didn’t want to go on living. In this case, she was a sweet girl with a lovely family. We all adored her. He had messed things up with her pretty badly and his guilt over that played into his emotional state. Now, he’s just shy of 24, he graduated college a year ago, is happy with his career and found a new girl that we all love. He has grown in so many ways since then and I’m truly amazed at the young man he’s becoming.

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Deborah Thompson's avatar

Hello - First I want to say a big thank you for subscribing to my Substack, The Wistful Neo-Druid. I’m so happy to have you along for my sometimes bumpy, sometimes sad, sometimes hilarious ride through life. I loved this article about your daughter; thank you for sharing. I don’t have children; I was quite sick from the day I turned 24, had a miscarriage and that was the end of any plans for a family - which gutted me at the time. Anyways, I digress. I remember being 13 as well, and it was really hard on me…. all the early teen years actually. And yes, I was often the girl that got excluded and spent more hours than I care to admit crying in my bedroom. I can SO identify with what she (and you) are going through. Give her a hug from this stranger in British Columbia, Canada and tell her I think she is very pretty and a lovely, sensitive girl. I’m not sure if you read my article entitled “The Difficult Life of the Delicate Soul”, but if you haven’t I invite you to come for a quick read. I think you and I must be soul-mates from another time :)

So happy to meet you - I look forward to getting to know you and read more of your amazing writing.

Kindest regards, Deborah

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The Sensitive Artist's avatar

Hi Deborah! It’s so nice to meet you! I am sorry you weren’t able to have a family. I had a couple of miscarriages in between my kids and that is one of the most devastating things to experience, in my opinion. I’m glad you’ve been healing. My early teen years were rough as well. It seems so much harder seeing my kids hurt in that way though. I will absolutely check out your recent article… that’s right up my alley!🥰

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Deborah Thompson's avatar

Wonderful!!!!! So glad we are connected!!!

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The Sensitive Artist's avatar

Me too! 🩷

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kathy archuleta's avatar

Preadolescent kids can be so cruel. Encourage your daughter to talk to you anytime she is effected by other students' behaviors towards her. Communication is vital during this time. Good luck 🍀

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The Sensitive Artist's avatar

She is pretty good about sharing things with me. Once in a while, I just have to do a little digging.

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Gina Kauffman Miller's avatar

It seems like the apple didn't fall from the tree. Your autism radar knows when someone is "off." Hug that beautiful girl and tell her how lucky she is to be rid of such a cold-hearted person. Her light shines too bright for dark hearts.

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Nancy E. Holroyd, RN's avatar

These are such hard years!

Sounds like you are doing a wonderful job of trying to assist your children to navigated these troublesome times.

Teaching coping skills is so valuable!

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The Sensitive Artist's avatar

They really are the hardest years.

Thank you 🩷

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Moorea Maguire's avatar

Kids can be so cruel. I wish my mom were like you, Tirzah. Your empathy and perspective are priceless.

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J. I. (Hans) Bakker's avatar

Thank you.

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