I've been asked several times to share my story; to tell everybody why I'm here. I've told parts of that story. I've talked about my suicide attempts, I've talked about my self harm, I've talked about my diagnosis. I have not talked about the reason for all of those things. My childhood trauma. I haven't… Continue reading Why I Don’t Talk About My Trauma
The Dungarees of Brains
My brainjust isn't the sameas someNot tameless desirableless numbI feel extra feels and sometimes noneMy neurocircuits have less elasticity than abc gum.My moods are colorsbrighter and more intense than the sunAnd if we aren't all carefulyou will see more than onein less than ten minutesshould be funEverything is rigid and stiff and decisive If you… Continue reading The Dungarees of Brains
How to Talk to a Child About Their Parent’s Depression
When a parent has depression it can be very confusing for a young child. My children wondered if it was their fault, if they had done something wrong. When they understood it wasn't them and they had no effect on my emotions, they were still very confused and left wondering what was going on. I… Continue reading How to Talk to a Child About Their Parent’s Depression
Unpopular Opinion: Self Harm Is Self Care
Hear me out. Cutting is self harm but it's not the only form. Drinking is self harm. Drugs are self harm. Cigarettes are self harm. Not wearing a seat belt is self harm. Biting the skin off your lips and around your nail beds. Having unprotected sex. Dating in 2019 is self harm. Plucking your… Continue reading Unpopular Opinion: Self Harm Is Self Care
Mental Health Awareness Month Swag
For Mental Health Awareness Month I attended a few conferences and local meetings and events. Each event had some really great awareness apparel and novelty items that I loved! I never knew this stuff even existed. Check out some of the awesome stuff I scored and catch my any where representing mental health all year… Continue reading Mental Health Awareness Month Swag
Art Therapy – Dopamine Queen Style – Free Coloring Pages
I love art therapy. Particularly my crayola mint condition 120 ultimate pack crayon coloring therapy. I wanted to share some of my favorite pages with all of you in case you are also into color art therapy. I've also included some links at the bottom for more even better therapy coloring pages. Enjoy! For When… Continue reading Art Therapy – Dopamine Queen Style – Free Coloring Pages
Listen to the Kids – A Poem
It's not the first heartbreak It's the first knee scrape Not graduation day, But kindergarten picture day We're failing the children, the babies, the kids And they're growing up into lost misguided shits That's right, I'm talking about you and me We are a wreck, assholes, or both almost guaranteed I don't know anyone who… Continue reading Listen to the Kids – A Poem
Kids Can Have Depression and Another Children’s Book List
Think the stigma is bad for adults? What about kids? I imagine people whispering behind my son and I at the psychologist office, “WTF did she do to that child? Poor parenting, millennials, it's no wonder with her out at appointments in those sweatpants.” (I went too hard on myself. I can wear sweatpants anytime;… Continue reading Kids Can Have Depression and Another Children’s Book List
The Best Children’s Books About Anxiety
LA, my 7 year old, has anxiety. It's awful to watch. Someone so small, my little baby, experiencing pure terror over tiny things. Completely unable to to attend the school that he loves because of awkward experiences on the bus and the one final straw that turned me into a home school mom. Help Your… Continue reading The Best Children’s Books About Anxiety
How To Explain a Suicide to a Child
Gentle Willow is a beautiful story that helps explain death to children. I've been crying for hours preparing to write this. I read a story on social media about someone's partner dying by suicide. They have a four year old daughter and a seven year old son. Just a few weeks before mother's day they… Continue reading How To Explain a Suicide to a Child