What can I tell my daughters when I've harmed? *si trig?*

[Nocebo]

I've resisted the urge to hurt my arms for 2 years now, but I've been feeling increasingly rubbish and I can't say that I won't hurt myself again.

They are used to seeing my scarred arms and I think they just see my scarred skin as mine. Not different.

What can I possibly tell them if I wound? Hiding forearms is very difficult.

My girls are aged 4yrs and [almost] 7yrs.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

thankyou

~Nocebo~

[Lwona]

Heya Before resigning yourself to the fact that you *will* harm, can you go through all the alternatives? Do you have support with SH matters? x

[Nocebo]

I'm not saying that I WILL harm...but I can accept the fact that its a possibilty.

[aurora]

Do your daughters know the cause of your scars? Because if they do then you could possibly tell them the truth.

Are you having any support at the moment? If not perhaps, if you feel the sh is a (imminent) possibility a trip to your gp could be on the cards?
In regards to saying things to your daughters, would using dressings be an option, just something to cover the fresh ones, then you could say that you harmt your arm on the oven or something along those lines?
xx

[Hedgehog]

I would avoid lying to them they are probably much more aware than you realise.

[Shinigami]

I think children are a lot more aware than we adults give them credit for. They can tell when they're being lied to even though we think we're doing a good job at it. I think something to think about in this sort of situation is do you want your children to be growing up in an atmosphere of deception? Is there an explanation that you could give them which is truthful while shielding them from the worst of reality? I think if you are honest about problems with them then they will see that it's ok to ask for support when they need it when they get older.

[billy]

maby if you just brought it up in normal convo one day, they might ask question but they will ask what they want to know. sorry thats not much help. x

[ConradTheWoollyLlama]

Maybe it's best to wait until this comes up?
They might not even ask =] sometimes kids have more tact than we credit them for!
There's nothing to say you will harm either. Two years is an amazing achievement ^_^ so congrats for that!