Dear Johanna:

From a website, you are mom. com/ How parental unhappiness affects children: “Although children can sense adults’ unhappiness, they can’t always understand why. Most commonly, they deduce that they must be responsible, that they’ve done something wrong, and that’s why their parents are angry or upset. This can produce major feelings of guilt and low self-esteem. In addition…. they may suffer great anxiety when trying to modify their parents’ moods without success, or they may feel that they need to act a certain way in order not to worsen the situation. When this stress persists and their body keeps releasing large amounts of cortisol, related health problems may even appear”,

A note to mothers in same website: “Of course, adults also feel sadness, anger, or frustration, and it’s okay for children to see that, as it helps normalize those emotions. However, it’s important that you take responsibility for yourself and take appropriate steps to improve your well-being. For example, going to therapy, ending a relationship if it’s harmful, strengthening your social relationships, etc. Try to be an example of positive coping for your children rather than a display of pessimism and self-neglect”.

Does this speak to you?

anita