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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My SIL is severely mentally ill.  She's a cutter, been anorexic, has attempted suicide several times and is manic depressive.  It's heart breaking, I really do love her very much.  She is married and has no kids, and has claimed she doesn't want any because she doesn't think she can handle them. S he is great with my kids.  She lives thousands of miles away, we see her a few times a year.  She is unable to work.

What I do is check on her regularly via phone, text, iChat, and emails.  I remind my husband to check in on her too.  We also check in with her husband regularly.  He is very responsible to make sure she takes her medication, goes to therapy and isn't left home alone during her darker times.  He is a saint.

I think checking in on both of them is important.  My BIL needs to know we support him, are here if he needs to vent and will come out if he needs help, but also respect that he is in charge of SIL's care and as long as we feel she's been properly care for we won't interfere.  I suspect if we all lived closer we would be more involved but geography gets in the way.

OP's children are old enough to be told the truth.  SIL is ill, not everyone's brain works normally and something's wires don't cross correctly and people have trouble communicating how they feel or understanding the world around them.  A mental illness shouldn't be shamed.  It is a disease.  This is an incredibly teachable moment for your kids. Use it to teach empathy and how to handle some quasi uncomfortable situations.  [/quote]

Great post.  I like you a lot, PP.[/quote]

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