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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I have depression. I am a grandma. Spending time with my grandchild is MUCH less intense or stressful than raising my own children. With grandchildren, you can give them back. Somebody else has ultimate responsibility. Spending time with my grandchildren makes me happy. It lessens my depression. [/quote]

That's nice, but it's not about the grandma's needs. It's about the children's needs. Kids are not therapy dogs.[/quote]

Pretty harsh.  What are us mothers with depression supposed to do?  Hand over kids to the State?

And by the way, How's your mental health?[/quote]

I don't think it's too harsh.

Very few kids are better off in foster care. Many kids are better off if they are not living in a home with a depressed parent, however. If a mom can't function because of severe depression, dad should take the kids and leave, even if it worsens her condition. The point is protecting the kids, not placing the mom's needs over the kids' needs.

I spent entirely too much time caring for a depressed, alcoholic mother.  The entire family revolved around her needs and no one else's. [/quote]

I'm sorry about your childhood.  I know depression and alcoholism in one's mother can wreak havoc on a child.  However, I would bet this grandmother functions just fine and didn't deserve the PP's harsh comments about therapy dogs.  I wish people would give others the benefit of the doubt more when responding to posts...especially when we're talking about mental illness and depression.  [b]Do you really think this grandmother, or any grandparent, does not benefit in some way from an interaction with a grandchild and that that benefit is somehow detrimental to the child?[/b] No one's saying anyone should leave children with inappropriate caregivers or someone in the throes of a manic state.  We're talking about sone depression - something a ton of people have, will have, or have had.  [/quote]

Yes, I do. PPs first response was "It's good for me." Her first thought was about herself.

"Some depression"  in a caregiver is harmful to children.  Kids of depressed moms have lots of problems caused by the depression. I appreciate that it's common. [b]People who have depression owe it to their kids to get treated.[/b]  [/quote]

And how do you know PP's depression wasn't being treated?

What about parents (or grandparents) with anxiety?  Attachment issues?  Narcissistic traits?  Obsessive and compulsive problems?  Phobias?  Control freaks?  Alcohol/drug issues?  ADD?  Asperger's traits? Have I covered everyone yet?

I'm so glad you have achieved perfection.  But I still think a little compassion might be in order, not to mention some realism.[/quote]

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