Jim, it's a learning curve! Stop beating yourself up.

Look at the positives:

• you realized too many visitors was a mistake
• you recognized Evie was overwhelmed
• your removed self and family

Hmm.. lot's of positives there.. isn't there?

Everyone makes mistakes.. you guys included. She's sleeping and she is okay. It's understandable, with all the excitement of having everyone home at once, that you all wanted to go and see her at once... as a family. It was too much for her, yes, but you caught that right away!

Here is a comparison for you. My family... X-mas time.. I have my father, step-mother, uncle, two older cousions, young cousin, and my two children. The phone is ringing people are bellering, laughing, hitting tables etc.. and I'm expected to handle it with a smile. I am also expected to help out and be normal..

Do you know what would happen to me if I didn't do this for them? If I got snippy, had an outburst, showed any emotion, had an anxiety attack.. anything at all.. I would be berated for acting like a child, being selfish, acting crazy etc.. and then promplty flipped over someone's knee and spanked till I had a black ass..

The last time I was spanked I was 28 years old.

Even Matt hides his reactions.. we both know better..

So consider the differences here.. you accept Evie's PTSD, you work your ass off to help, learn, give kicks in the butt, support, and love her, with mistakes thrown in that you recognize and learn from.. then you have my family..

Ease up on yourself.. you are doing your best and learning every step of the way.. don't let that perfectionist side of you win..

love,
bec