The 9pm "it's all your fault" text, and the two ways to answer it. Are you the lifeboat or the lighthouse? For mums of a young adult with BPD, EUPD or emotional dysregulation.
For most people, big life changes, like moving out, starting a new relationship, or beginning a new job bring a mix of nerves and excitement. There are worries, yes, but also hope and anticipation. For someone living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), CPTSD, or emotional dysregulation, these same transitions can feel very different. Instead of excitement, there’s often a sense of fear, uncertainty, and pressure that can quickly spiral into overwhelm.
I knew this day would come eventually, the day my daughter decided to leave home and carve out her own space. It’s what we raise them for, isn’t it? To grow, to find independence, to create a life that’s theirs. But here’s the truth no one tells you: knowing it’s coming doesn’t make it any easier.
When you’re parenting a young adult in emotional chaos, you quickly realise that your support system isn’t always what you thought it would be. Friends fade away. Family don’t always “get it”.