General Parent Of 3 Daughters With Ptsd - Need Help

[ParentingPTSD]

I have 3 young daughters (8, 10 and 10) with PTSD. I also have PTSD. Some-days it's all I can do to keep my own volcano from erupting much less help them with theirs. I'm looking for ideas on how to help them and I'm hoping to connect with other parents who have young children with PTSD.
Thanks!
Kerry

 

[BloomInWinter]

Hi,

Are you all in a safe living environment?

Is everyone receivng therapy? Do they all get help at school?

I'd start with making certain you have all the services you deserve. Then, I'd try to get them as much time in the arts as you can...even when we can't find words, expression can heal through the arts.

 

[Nicolette]

Welcome Kerry.

You must have a set of twins with two aged 10. That must have been hard work when they were younger!

I can't imagine how hard it is with a household of PTSD. Without divulging identities etc, would you be willing to share how your beautiful daughters have PTSD at such a tender age? Was your PTSD due to the same event? Only answer what you feel comfortable with. It is however only with information that we can share our knowledge with you.

Over the years I have read some posts of late teen aged children with PTSD but not many to be honest. It must be a difficult situation. Do you have any support or people surrounding you who at least understand?

Once again welcome and I hope the forum can assist you and your daughters.

Take care.

 

[Nicolette]

Hi again Kerry

I see you have answered most of my questions in your introduction which I just saw. Am I right in presuming you are here with a Supporters hat on or a Sufferer? While you can be both, you will need to choose which side you want to be on when it comes to having a diary.

As I need to put a prefix for your introduction would you prefer Supporter, Sufferer or Other?

Thanks

 

[ParentingPTSD]

Hi Boominwinter!

Yes, we are all safe now (except when the girls go to their dads for visitation - but the court said I have to send them.)

All of us are in or have been in therapy for almost 2 years now and we have all made progress. Each of the girls have different symptoms so it can be a little challenge to keep all of the plates spinning.

One of the twins "M" is in the Behavior Learning Center (BLC) at school. She is my "fighter" and when she is triggered she will hit, bite, kick and scream to get you away from her. (If I could just convince the school to NOT touch her when she is triggered life would be better). She does however receive extra support for learning and a good deal of one on one instruction. She has a lot of trouble in a group and can be very resistant to any changes in routine and has a hard time giving "control" to the teachers so she is often "non-compliant" with requests from them.

The other twin, "D" tends to be overly emotional and will check out and not pay attention in class. She is maintaining C's and D's in school and I can't seem to get her qualified for an IEP or even a 504 plan. (Her IQ and test scores are not far enough off). She will daydream all day and I keep getting the "push" from her teachers that I need to medicate her. (They INSIST that she has ADD and just needs to "pay attention and try harder")

I usually don't have trouble with either of them at home.

My youngest, "T" is doing well at school this year but wreaking havoc at home. She is in therapy for suspected DID and the more she integrates the more sensory issues she seems to have. She is refusing to take a shower, refusing to wear a coat, refusing to wear socks or jeans, etc. She is also angry ALL the time and constantly picks at her sisters. We tend to walk on eggshells around her so she doesn't explode on us.

I have been thinking about trying to get us into an art class or something... time wise it's hard between all the homework and therapy appointments and my job. I guess I need to figure out how to make it happen.

Thanks for your interest!
Kerry

<Unnecessary quote removed by Amethist>

 

[ParentingPTSD]

Hi Nicolette!

If I can't be both, I guess I really need the supporter hat more than the sufferer. :)
I have a great therapist and I'm making progress on my own "stuff" I'm really needing ideas and connections to people who are going through the same things.

Smiles,
Kerry

<Unnecessary quote removed by Amethist>

 

[BloomInWinter]

You don't necessarily need an art class, but if you can set us a 'station' for them each with basic supplies...and your own...and they see you encouraging them to use it, that could be the beginning of art in their toolkit.

Can you require your ex take them to an art place...whether dance lessons, music, or drawing? That could give them a 'safe harbor' while they are with him...and then he'd have another watchful adult to be accountable to.