Hello

[Salmonthas]

Hello.  My child has borderline personality disorder, and I wanted to find a place where I could connect with others and get support, and also hear ideas on how they handle their relationship with their children.  I love my child, and want the best for her.  Sometimes I don't know if she is manipulating me, or if it is normal teenage stuff.  She's a sweet kid, but she is also good at lying.  It gets a bit frustrating.  She is 17, and just starting her senior year.  She just started smoking weed, and I'm trying to get her to stop that as well.  All of it seems overwhelming at times.  Anyway, just wanted to see what everyone else goes through, and just know that other people go through it too.  Thanks.

Our objective is to better understand the struggles our child faces and to learn the skills to improve our relationship and provide a supportive environment and also improve on our own emotional responses, attitudes and effectiveness as a family leaders

[Huat]

Hello back to you, Salmonthas, and welcome. You certainly have come to the right place to see that there are others (lots of others!) walking in similar shoes.

Our daughter is now 51 and I know she started smoking marijuana in her early teens.  While there are many people out there who will tell you they started early, too, and are leading "normal" lives, I have often wondered what happens with some (like our daughter) where this might have helped trigger something in her young, developing brain to cause her lifelong problems.  Over the years she has suffered from PMS, post-partum depression after the birth of each of her children... .and now all seems to have flared up again as she goes into menopause.

Yes, this journey can be overwhelming at times, but remember to look after yourself, learn how to set boundaries... .and be as consistent as possible.  This website has a wealth of information and links to more.