Dear Soccer Parents,

Yes he is older than some of the other players, yes he is afraid of the ball still and has no clue about the rules. None of which is his fault. He is a victim of my bipolar disorder. I couldn't commit to taking him to soccer twice a week for 3 months. So he never learned to play. This year I am committing to being at the games. It is a goal of mine, and if all goes well August will arrive and he will be a good player and an asset to the team, and I will be suntanned and still sitting on the sidelines clapping and cheering like a normal parent. There will have been no angry or crying outbursts, no missing games. I will just be a proud soccer mom.

I am so proud of him because he is doing what I can not. He is sticking it out, making light of his own issues and learning to play the game. He is having fun with it.

Please do not allow me to continue to make my son a victim. Be kind and let us figure this out, you have no idea how big of a deal this is to us, especially my son who just wants to play a sport.

Thank you

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I have isolated myself so well that my children have been innocent victims. I am so afraid and panicky when I am out in public that I have been unable to enroll them in anything that involves me. They do not know how to skate or play any sports, however, they do know how to swim because I have managed to keep them in lessons every summer.

I have not been out of my house in the evenings in many years, but a few months ago I committed to this soccer for my son. I thought it was one night per week, it is actually 2 nights. We are at the end of week 2, and I am already experiencing doubts about my ability to do this. I am hoping my son will continue to enjoy it and learn the game, and the parents do not whisper enough to set me off. I really do not want my children to witness that behaviour, which is why I do not go out much for fear of behaving out of control, which is how the cycle goes.

I am setting goals to get out of the cycle and am having some success.
Along with this commitment, I have started to go to the local mood disorder peer group one night a week. And enrolled my poorly behaved dog in obedience training. That is 4 nights a week out of the house. Big step from none.