Codependency Support Group

I feel like that a lot. Sometimes I feel that just knowing someone is there for or with me gives me strength I may not see in myself. It's not a bad thing at all to feel this way, but you should find that strength inside yourself. This is something I struggle with on a daily basis, to find that strength inside me. Sometimes finding just the smallest reason to believe can carry you further than you dreamed possible.

And don't forget, we are always here for you, so you have our combined strength with you.

thank you ! i just dont know how to handle all of this right now, people say read pray and think of your self! i cant do that i have children to take care of !

WeLL, that could work for you. I imagine your children love you more truly and purely that anyone else ever could. I'm not a parent myself, but many of my friends are and I know they feel a lot of responsibility for the kids (rightly so) but I know they feel the love just from the looks they get.

Love of those around us helps us get through the day. But the love of Christ is true love. Sacrificial love. Loved us so much he shed his last drop of blood for us. Trust in that and love him back. Human love is fickle; comes and goes.

I have four kids, and I am just now learning that I HAVE to read and pray and nurture myself, or they are going to have an unhealthy mom, just like I did. Sometimes the house looks like a tornado hit it, but I feel able to read them a bedtime book, and listen to them. Finding a balance is hard, but when I didn't love on myself, I had so little to give these awesome kiddos!

Trust in some sort of higher power. Remember one is a whole number.
We have this crap thrown at us constantly, the TV, the radio, everything is about falling in love, it is hard to avoid. I try to turn off that kind of media when I need to be independent.

Also, what are those "things" that you have to deal with? Personal feelings? Or just keeping up with those kids and paying bills? Maybe there are ways to cut out some activities to reduce stress-?

i feel the same way emmaarie. i think its because as children we did not feel the love that parents are supposed to give to kids. its not like our parents didnt love us, they just didnt show it right. sometimes perhaps they felt so unloved themselves that they could not give any love to their kids.
a lot of CoDA is about lack of love for the self. realizing that we dont have normal levels of self love i think is the first step towards awareness of this disease.

Or because, like you, they were working so hard to pay bills to keep you fed and keep a roof over all of your heads that they were simply too exhausted to love.

We have love right in front of us; we just don't appreciate it. Love those kids. It ain't the same as a hunka hunka man, but those kids need your love too and hopefully will love you in return.