Feels like so much.

I am a mother to 2 kids and for some reason I am so scared CPS will take my kids. There’s no reason for this. They are loved, taken care of in every way. I think about it constantly. It’s so stressful and my chest hurts. When I hear the neighbors car door I check to make sure it’s not them. I look outside in my driveway to check and make sure they didn’t show up. I truly feel like I’m going crazy!! I’ve tried ignoring it and accepting the thoughts but the thought of someone ever taking my kids from me is way too distressing to accept. I need some guidance. I’ve been down this bad with harm ocd and I overcame it. I feel like I’m trying to dig myself out of a hole. My children’s father and I are also splitting up. He calls me crazy which doesn’t help so now I’m scared I’m becoming schizophrenic. I need guidance. Positive words. And just people who understand. This is awful.

Anonymous

Date posted: 2d

Hi! This sounds really hard to deal with and I fully understand. Instead of ignoring your thoughts, try and truly sit with them. Acceptance can sometimes be tricky because you cannot reassure your way out of ocd thoughts, you can only sit with the uncertainty. Take out dedicated time for exposures. You seem like a wonderful mom who truely cares about her kids but please do not focus on getting reassured. It only makes things worse. I truly wish you the best with everything!

Kilo2001

Date posted: 2d

@Anonymous I feel like I’ve been constantly focused on reassurance and I KNOW it’s wrong, I’ve been through this. How would I do exposures? I don’t know what I could do for that

Anonymous

Date posted: Yesterday

@Kilo2001 Im not sure but talk with your therapist. This might be an intense one but what if you have your kids stay with an adult you trust- maybe a family member or friend and resist compulsions to check in about where they are/what theyre upto. Also you can start with less intense exposures such as script writing of the worst scenario and then practicing response prevention statements. All the best!

bootswiththefur

Date posted: 2d

It might help to educate yourself on the reasons why CPS would get involved in a family situation if you don't know. When they do, the goal is also not to take children away from parents, but to support the family. There are some families that no amount of support will help. I'm talking about abuse and neglect. I have heard of children even remaining in situations like this long after they should as well. It might be worth writing a script of what would happen if CPS came to your house. They would talk to the child/children, they would talk to the parents, they would look around the home to make sure there's nothing around that's harmful for a child. Then they would see if anything needs to be done. Do they need to be involved? Does the family need support? To me, it sounds like your fear is not wanting to be a bad parent, not wanting your children to be taken away, and your understanding of CPS seems to be they just take children away. I hope you are able to find peace and comfort and to not keep worrying that this will happen unnecessarily. But that you can also be ok with the mere thought of CPS coming to your house. That you would be able to deal with it in that moment.

Kilo2001

Date posted: 2d

@bootswiththefur You’re 100% right. Thank you so much.

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