Poor little babies mood depend on your mood, if you are down let them know why and make sure you say mummy is okay and continue to help them out as much as you can.

One last thing: having children is an extremely major investment and harder than expected, and for some people can be regretted, let's be honest here. Childrearing itself can negatively affect the parent, not to mention strained finances, taking on responsibility for a whole 'nother life and at least 18 years of -being- the support rather than receiving it. It is one of the most demanding, life changing things you can do, and for some people with mental illness it would not be worth it and would end up just causing suffering for them and the child. The risk to their mental health may not be worth the gamble, may not be the magic solution you were hoping for, etc. There needs to be more acceptance for individuals who are childless by choice for any reason, but including the desire not to pass on mental illness (or physical illness too, for that matter) or cause needless suffering to a child. Apologise for the essay haha but as you can easily tell, this is something I've thought about at length personally and feel very strongly about.

Depends wildly on what illness, in my case parents unresolved personal issues led to neglect/abuse and codependency as they tried to seek comfort from their child instead of professional help. I strongly believe you should address any and all lifelong personal issues before having children because you will inevitably pass on messages and behaviors and children are sponges. If you have a parent who is unable to emotionally regulate themselves and never did the work to learn how, as the child you will miss out on being taught some major life functioning skills like this. Choosing to be the cycle breaker, have spent the best part of my adolescence and now into adulthood addressing my issues, many of which were not mine to have to address. I won't get that childhood back. It's unfair, but taking on the load as my own means more people don't get hurt and the vicious cycle ends. It's the right thing to do. I don't want children for many reasons, but one of them is that even if I did want them, I simply don't think I have enough emotional skills but do still have a lot of baggage, so the risk of stunting the child's development while traumatising them (even inadvertently) would be too high for me to justify. I can't manage myself, let alone another person who's a blank slate for all my issues! I think many even undiagnosed people have children only to turn to them as a means of adult support, a source of power, an emotional dumping ground, or don't see them as individuals but rather a bonus chance to live their dreams or craft an identity that they missed out on doing. I really think more people from all walks of life should 'sort themselves out' more and be a stable, regulated adult before having children. That said, I don't think we should immediately demonise parenting with mental illness either, because again it varies wildly. Some people with mental illness actually become far more compassionate and in-tune to others' needs so make wonderful parents; some people may have chronic but not outwardly confronting symptoms, so the children understand and deal fairly well with it as more of a shared family issue to work through together that brings them closer. Some people with past or current mental illness will have valuable skills and knowledge about how to navigate periods of poor mental health, and may be able to keep a child mentally healthier having experienced or learned what techniques works best for which kind of personal difficulty. Some are narcissists. Some are adoring worriers. Some are addicts. Some prioritise managing their condition. Some aren't even there. But I think most parents with mental illness will be trying their best and genuinely good decent people and kind guardians, and at least slightly self-aware and conscious of how it might affect the child. But I do think a lot of supposed 'genetic' mental illness inheritance is actually more passed on/learned behaviours directly from the parent, and/or maintained negative home environments etc.

A thing I have noticed is that if you have one parent who is "anxious"...whatever that means...you can "suffer" from it....you seem to end up with both parents ending up in the same state...and it seems to spread to their children too....nobody escapes it...very strange...I'm not sure if that helps...but I find that one odd....

A non fuctioning parent due to mental health issues see a lot of kids staying up late ,playing video games ,out till late unable to attend school Some people need their kids stay home for support Work in a school see of lot of these children

So most people on here support eugenics. What about all the other “defective’ people that should not be allowed to procreate? Children who have parents that suffer mental health issues are not necessarily anymore neglected than any other child. In fact, in my very, very, very experienced opinion, they are more understanding of the diversity of people’s lives, are far more empathetic to others, and are no more or no less disadvantaged than any other children.

Yes Dolan I totally agree with you the biggest mistake was to introduce cell phones emergencies etc,way too many destractions people can't think for themselves not enough family time soon as the phones rings oops got to answer it no wonder kids act the way they do no respect,I am not saying all kids are like that but they are out there,sorry if I have offened any one here just my say thank you.

I wish so many would stop saying ADHD, PTSD or mental issues are the problems when so many just "don't care and act as such". Kids are smart and in most instances can tell the difference between the real problems and those made up just to make the adult be not at fault for anything. Let children be children and have fun growing up and let adults start acting as an adult, parent and caretaker with responsibility for their acts, thoughts and how they raise the little ones. Start using common sense and stop using technology to raise them. Get off the phones and such and pay attention to the kids..............

I went through a hard breakup. My son was 2 at the time. I wasn’t at all in the right frame of mind. Resorting to drugs and alcohol to mask the depression I was going through. A single mum working hard to pay for the basic necessities and my own cruxes. Bear in mind I was only 19yrs at the time. It took me 2yrs to snap out of it. During those 2yrs I watched my son become a bully to other children, become lonely and isolate himself. I came home one day found him silently crying to himself saying he hates his life (at the age of 5) and decided then that I needed to snap out of it. My son and I have a loving relationship now because I made the effort to talk about it with him and admit to him my wrong doings.

Mentally unstable

A child’s is affected when parents aren’t doing to well

It can screw the kids up

Hjhhkjhddfgvvvuv😉

A parents poor mental health can of course affect the child. If your stressed or depressed and the child sees that (even if they don’t understand why or what) then all they can think is “mommy is sad” or “daddy is sad”. Being that a child loves their parents they will always feel impacted in one way or another due to this.

With out Jesus and a mentor / praying Grandparents it's real hard

no comment since don't have children

the kid could not be getting the right support.

My mum always believes in my sister they more sisters together. I never feel like belong always watch tv. When we figh my mum back up my sister and dad back up my mum up. In away I am happy for this teacher me what you teachers as parents what will do in the endEdited 16-Dec-24 20:05pm

So many variables in this, I knew a family with 4 kids, 3 girls and a boy that grew up with a mother with severe depression. The father went above and beyond to take care of them and also relied on the eldest child for help. The eldest and youngest girls are seemingly well adjusted, the boy is lovely, but married a woman with quite a few mental health issues herself, but the middle daughter is a narcissistic nightmare. Always made up perfectly, her house is always perfectly clean and organised, but she is devoid of empathy and actively causes trouble in other peoples lives. She seems to be the one most affected by her mother’s mental illness, but she has no sympathy for her mum, resents her father and is highly critical of her comparatively well adjusted siblings. She is actually a terrible person, but is completely unaware of how awful she is. I do wonder why she is like that when her siblings seem to be okay.

I decided my mother had a mental condition. She didn't consult a physician and thought she was normal but she certainly didn't behave in a normal manner. I decided I would never be like her but then my children noticed her odd behaviour so I had to tell them she had ADHD or Aspergers which they accepted. We weren't neglected but mum was a scatter brain and ditzy. It didn't do me any harm other than I am aware of my mental health and possibly overdo being "normal" and not like my mother.

😍😍😍😍

As a parent that suffers from PTSD I can say it has been difficult to to allow my children the freedom to fully explore the world. having first hand experience of the dangers/ evil of some people has caused me to be constantly on alert and suspicious. It has taken a lot to allow them to step out of the nest but I have decided that teaching them to be the best person they can be, self confident,self respect and respectful of others is the best thing I can do for them. The other thing I would like to say is let your kids be kids. Let them experience what is appropriate for their age. They are not Mini Me's of their parents or an accessory to be shown off.

100% and they're more likely to inherit mental health issues themselves

Significant affects over a reasonable period.

The parent maybe abusive if not properly treated and then the kid suffers mentally as well. The parent could be causing an emotional strain on the child by being physically mentally verbally or emotionally abusive. Then the child grows up thinking they aren't good enough and that they did something wrong to deserve how they are treated. It is sad really

Massively. My father is schizophrenic and unmedicated. He used substances to self medicated. We lived in a volatile environment when with him, he was barely able to care for himself let alone us. Had he of gotten help and taken medication i'm sure it would have been different, however growing up with him in that state just led to a lot of trauma for my siblings and I. As we got older it more became a case of the child being the parent. Not one of us touch alcohol after growing up in that environment, all have been in counselling and taking medication for mental health issues ourselves - determined not to become like him.

I used to wonder about my father's actions when I still a kid; couldn't understand why he did the things he until UNTIL after many many years and working in the Aged Care Sector and participating in a number of MOOCs relating to Aging and Mental Health, I finally realised why. My father suffered from Early Onset Dementia; he went through WW2 when the Germans occupied Poland. It was something he refused to talk about before I finally realised that was probably the cause of it all. I don't know if his behaviours have transferred to me however, I have to stop and think about the things I have said (when I am the only one around) .... there is probably a reason why my mother used to say that I was exactly like my father ...... my mother, grandmother and I all walked around egg shells when he was home as the slightest thing would really set him off!Edited 16-Dec-24 17:26pm

Monkey see, monkey do! 😞

I am the product of two bipolar parent, one who self medicated with alcohol, it was a tough childhood, however, I’m a tough cookie because of it

Ya day by day parenting going hard it’s very difficult becoz of everything thing gone high rates and earning in low outcomes which not helpful

Oh, where to begin? No. I'm sorry. I can't answer this.

Comming to think of it. The so called stollen generation of the Aboriginals is something like that. "you are not allowed to bring your children up, because we say you are mentally ill". you can see how bad it is for someone else to make the decision.

I've never had this situation

Have been lucky have never had this problem. But children do pickup on these things. I believe some kids can sought through this.

O.k,depends on the type of mental illness,some are life long like OCD and can be managed others where the adult can't even look after themselves let alone a child need support for themselves and the child. This in extreme circumstances may include the child living with other family members for a time,but should be a last resort. So for myself I went through a tough period 18years ago. I had barely survived the birth of my last son ,long hospital stays and 2 surgeries. 3months later my mother lost her battle with cancer,and 6months after that my husband left. I wasn't in a good place and I knew it. For me with a 14year old and a newborn it was hard. I spoke to my g.p,he was great,and good to speak to someone I trusted " outside the loop". We had regular appointments to check in and offer other services. I had family come and help me,sometimes they would clean or bring a meal and watch the kids for a couple of hours so I could rest. My eldest I spoke to ,explained how I felt,what was going on with me. He was relieved I spoke to him. It was good for him to know that he wasn't part of the problem and did extra things with me to help out like helping me cook the dinner hang out the washing. I also did an art therapy and meditation course once a week. It helped to have time to myself,and get my heads pace right. I guess what I am saying is. If possible it can be valuable, children can see its o.k to say there is something wrong,that there is no weakness in admitting you can't cope. And there is strength in asking for help.Also for my I found through this it strengthen our relationship,our trust My son was a great support,yes he was worried,but he felt valued and useful helping me. He knew I trusted him and loved him.

What is it with all the negative questions???

Very badly

It affects you later in life, for me I ended up with claustrophobic.

You can't be there for them and look after their basic needs. On the other hand kids are resilient and older ones know what is going on and can be empathetic to the situation and help in small ways.

It's a major - my parents were ww2 refugees & only later i discovered how ill they really were PTSD wasn't around then but it sure had an impact on me.

Absolutely and it would depend on how the parent handled their condition. I have heard some horror stories of children finding their parents dead and that should never happen. Unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world and these things do happen not often but often enough. There is now help and we have changed the stigma around mental health and all should know it is okay to ask for help when help is needed. To know the signs and except the help when the help is offered too. There is no shame.

Not very good

Not good I would imgaine.

Parents' mental health seriously affects their children's upbringing. When you look at the youths who mostly become violent and take drugs etc, they never have had a chance of a healthy childhood due to their parents' unhealthy lifestyles. This is very unfair, but how can they be helped otherwise?

Can be dangerous Hopefully the prtner will get some help

As a physically and emotionally abused child, I can assure you that the effects can be damaging, long lasting (many, many, years if it ever ends) and in some cases even life threatening. Kids look to adults for guidance in the way they behave. If all they learn is violence or hate that's what they will carry into adulthood (if they live to be adults).

Mom's depression had an impact on me and my younger sister. The two of us had depression also, but my oldest sister didn't seem to understand our depression at all. My younger sister said she remembered Mom threatening suicide, and she would get on her bicycle and ride off. I can't imagine what went through that little girl's mind. She and I were so close to Mom, and I feared the day I would lose Mom my whole life, though, I never remember her threatening to take her own life. We had a relationship that was too close and codependent. My sister and I did everything to please Mom and to stay in her good grace. My oldest sister didn't seem to care as much. She pleased Mom to keep the peace but got back at Mom in ways we never knew until years later. She was so much like Dad in that respect. He would never talk back to Mom, but talked behind her back to get even and did little things that Mom never knew he did in his own silly way to get even. I guess it made him feel better. My husband even said that he hoped he wasn't around when my mother died because we were so close. I was divorced and remarried when she died. I was shocked at how I reacted. It was almost a relief, and I never wanted to admit that because I did love her so much and still do! I seemed to mourn my dad's death more. My sister took her own life at the age of 71, and it hit me hard. She had made attempts for years, and I had come to the conclusion that she couldn't be stopped if she was determined to end her life. I wasn't mad at my sister because I completely understood why she felt she had no choice. However, I don't have children, and I'm divorced so I was completely alone when she passed. That has been the hardest for me. I never seemed to realize that I would one day be alone. That is the most difficult part. Her children had their families, but I have no one.

If it is for a prolonged time it can have a negative affect on the child.

Children are influenced by their parents.

Everyone struggles at least once in their lifetime. Being a mum is hard and requires a lot of patience. Time out is a necessity. Whether it’s 10 minutes or a long walk. A child can become defensive or withdrawn if continually exposed to anger or neglect.

Yes it can if not treated

It does depend on the child's comprehension and how things are explained. Some are quick to just jump in and help, go with the flow and it becomes the norm to them.

children learn and behave as they are taught and see, a child needs care, love and understanding as well as finding security in discipline if these things are not provided to a child it can lead to a childs upbringing and future in disray

It can definitely affect the children. Most importantly the parent or parents should seek help.

I do not have any child .Michael

This is an incredibly bad situation. The children are often left to their own devices, they have no parental support, or disipline/control, and therefore end up in the same situation as the parent. Unfortunately as hard as a support worker attends, which may only be an hour or so every other day, the situation just worsens day by day. It's not the child's fault and there doesn't appear any solution no matter how hard you try.

Comparing parents or Childrens lives is not right. It's just part of life. One child has no right to say my dad's better than your Dad, or my Mum's better than your Mum. the list goes on. if 1 person says another person is mentally ill, but they don't believe it, or some one else doesn't think they are. It is not the Governments choice either.

In most cases, it would. They may feel unloved and neglected emotionally and physically. In one case, a child asked his father why he didn't smile anymore. They may also feel angry at that parent and act out to get attention. If prolonged, they may end up dealing with lifelong feelings of abandonment.

It can be a terrible time for the family. Having a loving and supportive family and counsellors hopefully can help because every child is different, some cope quite well but others need more help and support

No idea

Some children grow up too quickly without proper resources to become adults. Others learn to care for others and be very empathetic. Its important for the parent to be helped with their condition

definitely impacts a child, every household has a different environment but if you have children you must invest in their future not just financially but with all the care you can muster, kids deserve to be applauded for their wins they need to be valued and feel loved, To deliver this in today's world is tough its a dog eat dog world cost of living is out of control, being a parent in today's world would be a challenge, i retired to help my daughter with her 3,it was the best move of my life but i have no idea how my daughter would manage without the full-time vare my wife and I give her

In so many ways,

Person should get help

Every situation is different. It depends on the ages of children & what support there is around the family.

My Mother had bad mental health. Today she would probably be diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. She was two personalities and you never knew which one you were getting. I walked on egg shells all of my childhood. It was so hard to understand some of the things she did. I was so much closer to my dad because if he was around things could be handled. I would never wish that on any child

a worry to be sure

badly

A parents poor mental health can affect a child for life.

Of course it does. it can lead to neglect, wsexual, physical and mental abuse. Of course things like alcohol and drugs don't help do they? We have an increasing problem in which children, some as young as 9 years old, are roaming the streets late at night committing crimes, being arrested and then the bleeding hearts come out and accuse the Police and all but those responsible for the problem! The Police and othes are so scared of being accused of racism that they dare not ask the Most Important Question of All. Where are the Parents whilst their children are running amok? I'll tell you where they are. They are at home blind drunk or drugged, both are mental health issues.

Yes, definitely from what I have witnessed. parentS and kids there has to be some connection

Every situation is different, every parent is different, every child is different. There are far too many factors to give any kind of definitive answer.

While my birth mother was in the hospital getting a Lobotomy for her mental health, my dad moved me and my sister away with the housekeeper, whom I thought was my mom! How's that for a start? Then, after a horrible childhood, and school years, after I married, I had a nervous breakdown at age 27, and my daughter's dad raised her. Now I have a 56 year old, messed up daughter! I think I've answered your question!?! ;-0 By the way, great answers, MOST everyone! Very Empathetic! Thank you for your understanding. ;-D Edited 16-Dec-24 09:14am

It is often up to the children and any self-reliance that they have. My grand sons watched their parents drink and sat back and didn't let it completely affect them. They are great adults and very responsible.

It gets passed on it’s in the blood.

A parent's mental health can impact a child either positively or negatively depending on the mental stability of the parent. Children pick up everything a parent says or does. The child may not say anything, but for the most part, a child observes and soaks up everything when the child is young.

Children are radars to their parent(s).

Children need healthy mental and physical parents.

Being a special ed teacher in a non public school and a public school, plus a stint in residential treatment, I can tell you it can affect the child a lot. Not many kids are able to overcome it. Very sad. Even as adults these kids have residual effects.

I have no experience of this so I dont really know but I think it could have some impact if not treated

psychological turmoil

No doubt. I could write a book on Clinical Depression. I've had it since age 11. My daughter and son would have a completely different life if I didn't have it. Now, at ages 25 and 23, my daughter lives at home and never sees anyone (like me). If my son had not joined a church for the social help, he would be like us too. That is the short version of a complex life. My husband, is the only bright light that is always helping our children and me. Oh, and BTW, I will be 64 on Dec. 19th, 2024. Edited 16-Dec-24 06:05am

I know two parents who suffer from mental illness. They both received the support necessary and their kids now in their 20s grew up more empathetic and more mature than most who have never experienced it (of course not always the case). My problem is those who create their own mental illness....drug users and alcoholics. They had a choice.

It affects the child for not having your parent capable of caring for someone both my nieces had unstable moms that one got hiv and the other one died running in the middle of the street

Seeing is doing

I think it depends entirely on the circumstances

badly. And if that person is the one who wields the notional big stick, some of the nuttiness rubs off on the child. It's extremely hard to reverse it.

safety and education in the home environment . the child will miss out on the loving bond with the mother

How will a parent's poor mental health affect a child. It depends on whether the parent's poor mental health is entrenched in nature (genetics) or nurture (environment). If a parent's poor mental health is entrenched in genetics it will probably affect the child in a very negative manner: self-confidence, self-esteem, self-worth, etc. in the child will be destroy 'maybe' beyond repair (strictly based on a theorical premise). If a parent's poor mental health is entrenched in environment issues it will affect the child in a positive manner - the child will have strong survival skills all of her or his lifetime (based on my personal experiences)! Other words, NEVER TAKE LIFE SERIOUS BECAUSE NOBODY GETS OUT OF LIFE ALIVE OR UNSCARRED! Furthermore, bonding with your mother (or father) while 'growing up' will not 'help or hinder' your growth as a human being - 'growing up' (maturity) is strictly on the individual!Edited 16-Dec-24 23:54pm

As my Mom's health declined, so too did her mental health. Living with her became a nightmare that still haunts me (a little) today.

It doesn't if the child has begun to mature. If the child was born with any defects, they will soon manifest themselves as a similar problem to the parent(s) but this is so rare an occurrence, it really is not worth worrying about at all.

It affects them for the rest of their life, but it doesn't mean the child can't grow up to be a happy adult. Often, the child has to grow up fast and be the parent to their parent, so they miss out on being a kid. It affects the child's mental health and they may have low self-esteem, anxiety, depression. They do develop survival skills. A lot of people in helping professions grew up in troubled homes.

It can affect a person thats is close to that family memeber

It can affect any person who is close to the mentally ill person whether parent, child, sibling or friend and even co workers.

In many ways at every age