How do I protect my children from my own mental health struggles?

Worrying about how your mental health affects your children is a sign of being a caring parent, but it's important to understand that completely hiding your struggles isn't necessarily the best approach. Children are incredibly perceptive and often know when something is wrong, even if they don't understand what it is. When parents try to hide their mental health struggles completely, children may blame themselves or develop Anxiety disorder about things they sense but can't name. The key is finding age-appropriate ways to be honest while maintaining appropriate Personal boundaries. This might mean explaining that you're feeling sad or worried without burdening them with adult details, or letting them know that you're getting help for your feelings so they don't have to worry about taking care of you. Children benefit from seeing that adults can struggle and still get help, that emotions are normal and manageable, and that mental health is something that can be talked about openly. It's also important to ensure that your children have other sources of support and that your mental health struggles don't become their responsibility. This might mean having other trusted adults in their lives, making sure they have their own outlets for expression and support, and being mindful of not parentifying them or making them feel responsible for your emotional well-being. Getting treatment for your own mental health is one of the best gifts you can give your children.