This week we're Going to be interviewing Gareth From Daddy Giraffe , here's a little about him and his perspective on Parenti...

This week we're Going to be interviewing Gareth From Daddy Giraffe, here's a little about him and his perspective on Parenting with mental health.

My name is Gareth I am a Daddy to 5 the oldest being 13 and the youngest being just 1. I like to read and spend time with my family, I run a blog called Daddy Giraffe where I write about life as a daddy with Mental Health issues.

When did you realise you had Mental Health issues?

I think deep down I always knew, when I was younger I was always quick to react in certain situations and changing from mood to mood quite quickly. Growing up it was still there and it wasn't until I had children that I had to seek help from professionals as I didn't want this kind of atmosphere around my children and them thinking it was the norm.

How did you deal with it?

Badly at first.

Once I was diagnosed I refused to believe it or even take my medication as I didn't think I needed it or that it would even make a difference but I had to sit down and think of not only my own health but how it affects my family and those around me. So after I started taking my medication things started to improve and my moods balanced out a bit better.

How does your Mental Health affect your parenting?

I would like to say very little as I try to keep it in check as much as I can but you can't hide anything from children and they pick on absolutely everything. With the older children I sat them down and explained what was happening and lucky for me they are very bright and understood well. If I'm stressed or I can feel an episode going to happen I will take myself away and come back when it's all sorted.

Do your children notice when you're having a bad day?

Yes unfortunately because my Personality Disorder is a mixture of Bipolar and Schizophrenia it's hard to control my emotions so I will switch very fast multiple times a day or I will be very quiet and not interact with anyone much inside or outside of the house.

How does that make you feel?

Like a bad parent, I love my family very much and would do anything within my power to make them happy and when sometimes im a hard person to live with it makes me feel bad that they don't have a normal parent in me. My partner says im a fantastic dad which is always great to hear but I can't help feeling a letdown.

How do you deal with it?

By trying to make up for it however I can, giving them more attention on my better days or telling them I love them very much.

How does Mental Health affect your day to day living?

It makes it hard doing various things such as I have no motivation to go out anywhere, some days when the kids are having a bad day it makes it harder to deal with but with the help of my partner we have sorted out a routine and everything runs smoothly to the point I now have techniques to calm the situation down so they can deal with being upset and the reason why their sad.

If you have, how did you get over your Mental Health issues?

I haven't as of yet but I am getting better every day and with the help of family and professionals, I will someday be off the medication and back into work.

Daddy Giraffe x

Thank you so much, Gareth for sharing your perspective on the series, if you liked this post hop on over to the Daddy Giraffe Facebook Page and Twitter and say hi!

If you want to be involved, head on over to the Work With Me Page and pop me an email!

mental health