Dear Daughter,
I’ve been thinking a lot about things lately, and I want to say something I should have said sooner. I’m really sorry.
I didn’t see how burnt out you were. I didn’t understand what was happening for you, even though you were living it every day. I think I told myself you were just stressed, or tired, or going through a phase, but I can see now it was much more than that.
I’m sorry for the times I pushed you or didn’t listen properly. There were moments when you needed me to slow down and really hear you, and I didn’t. I know that may have made you feel alone or misunderstood, and that’s hard for me to sit with, but it matters that I say it.
You shouldn’t have had to struggle for so long to be taken seriously. You deserved support, patience, and someone who recognised what you were dealing with sooner. I’m trying to understand more now, about burnout, about mental health, and about how to be there for you.
You deserved support, patience, and someone who recognised what you were dealing with sooner.
I also want you to know that I love you, completely and always. That hasn’t changed, if anything, this has made me realise how important it is that you feel safe and supported, especially when things are hard.
I also know you’re at such a big point in your life, with finishing secondary school. I understand that even thinking about college might feel like too much right now, and that’s okay. What matters to me is that you feel supported, not pressured. I’m here for you, step by step, whatever that looks like and however long it takes.
Love always,
Mum
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