Dear Psychiatrist,
I came to you for help today and you really let me down. It's bad enough that I had to ride through those two horrible weeks just waiting to get in to see you, but I was totally devastated when you asked me where I am when my son gets into all this trouble. You see, I don't work outside of the home for a reason. That reason is that I want to be here to raise my kids. You really had a lot of nerve insinuating that I wasn't doing my job correctly. If you think this is so easy, maybe you should come here and live with us for a few weeks. Better yet, why don't you take my son home with you for a few days. Then maybe you'd see why I'm so frazzled.
I kept telling myself that I needed to give you a break and not judge you for your words. After all, everyone is human, and everyone has bad days, but you had no right to talk to me that way. You had no right to suggest that I'm ignoring my child, or letting him run wild with no supervision. What right did you have to tell me that he wouldn't get into so much trouble if I'd watch him more carefully. That 's all I seem to be doing these last few years since he joined our family. My entire life revolves around this child! Our entire family revolves around him. If he's unhappy, we are all unhappy. If he has a bad day, we all have a bad day. I came to you for help and a little guidance, and you made this my fault. You let me down.
I always keep my son very close to me throughout the day, but do I need to take him with me to use the bathroom too? You would be amazed at the damage he can do in three minutes. Should I sleep with him, and take showers with him too. If I do, are you going to be around to defend me when he tells that story to his teachers and they call protective services on me. Probably not! So don't criticize a mom that is trying to do a good job. Don't tell me what I can do to change. I need to know how I can keep my son safe, and the rest of my family. This isn't about what we are doing wrong. It's about what's wrong with him. Please try to remember that and give us RAD mom's a break. We didn't ask for this. It isn't fun living like this.
