Finding Support Groups

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2008
Finding Support Groups
1
Wed, 07-29-2009 - 10:15pm

Hello - I am new to this site but not to ivillage.  I posted years ago on the Abuse websites.  I thought I would start here because this Board seems to be the closest to what I am looking for.  I'm trying to find people to talk to specific to those who have kids in jail.  I can't find anything online so far.  I'm hoping other women who are in my shoes might have some advice on how to cope.  On the one hand, people are in jail because they need to pay the price for their mistake.  Most people believe that, and there is not much sympathy.  I used to be pretty cavalier about it myself.  Of course, until it happened to me and I realize a lot has to do with mental health issues.  There is a whole range of feelings that goes along with this.  Only my close family knows what's going on, and since having a kid in jail is not something you brag about, I don't have any friends to talk to. 


Anyway, my son was just sentenced and supposed to go in on work release.  It is day three and he is in regular jail and the jail people are not friendly and not interested in helping anyone and no one seems to know what is going on or how to correct it.  I visited him tonight for the first time, and have never seen anyone so depressed in my life.  It's heartbreaking.  He sat the whole time with his head in his hands.  I of course tried to sound positive and sympathize and tell him we're trying to find out what's happening, but then I had to leave him there knowing he's at an extremely low point.  Since his "incident" he's gone to counseling, gotten on meds, actually found a job and trying to move on (they let him out on a tether for about two months before sentencing).  Now this,  he's back in jail, and I feel like they are doing nothing but undoing everything positive that he has been working on, not to mention he is in danger of losing his jobs.  How will he pay for his fines, hello!  I don't want him to get back to that point where he's suicidal, or doesn't give a F anymore and gets in more trouble. 


So, if anyone knows of any sites anywhere that talk about the parents that have to deal with delinquent children and live with the guilt and depression, let me know.  If this is the place, great!  If there is anything more specific to my issues, I'd like to hear about it. 


Thank you. 

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-02-2005
Fri, 07-31-2009 - 10:15pm

Welcome from a fellow Michigander!


I am going to do some digging around and see what I can find and get back with you by the end of the weekend. Can I ask what county you live in?


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