Post Traumatic Stress and Children. What are your thoughts?

As it stands my two boys have alienated themselves from me. My PTSD and my children hit head on. I tried to keep it at a distance, and I would feel so many things I couldn't say or express. The boys were unable to understand what I was experiencing. I took to heavy drinking and distancing myself from them, everyone. I thought ,to protect them from my problems. Time went on and they have moved further away. I know they want me to be a happy father. And someday hopefully I will reconnect with them.

1SG Jason Fitzpatrick
Thank you for sharing that, it couldn't of been easy to read this poem from your daughter. Our families suffer as much, if not more, than we do sometimes. My heart aches for my brothers and sisters, and their families, suffering from the disability that can not be seen. I think that is where the Army fails, we don't do anything for the children of those who suffer from PTSD.

1SG Jason Fitzpatrick
I agree our behaviors affect our children.

Children may be the best barometer to where we are at. It gets better over time.

I was asked by a coworker if she could share this yesterday for PTSD day.

TOP. Thanks for sharing because I know that for some this is a hard thing to admit. Second, this is really touching and how in tune your family is to you. I am sure that you and her will find the answers. It took me awhile to figure things out. But after my second tour, my son made me realize how much I needed to look at myself.

Wow, that is a powerful note to read.

Beautiful poem sometimes we dont realize the effects on our little ones til something like this.

Wow.