As a single parent who recently attended A&E for sutures, I'd be interested to know of other people's experiences.
Lemme get one thing straight, I do not, have not, and never will self harm in front of my children. Ever. My sister (who is nineteen) had been babysitting me because I'd gone mental, hence me having time to do it, and to attend A&E (the banshees were sleeping)
Social Services was mentioned, although I literally pleaded with the Dr not to phone them. We're in the middle of a very tricky court case. He needs all the leverage he can get because at it stands he has none, everyone contacted has been extremely supportive and praised me to the hilt. She said it wasn't her intention, but I've had it done before solely on the basis of having Self Harmed.
The banshees' school, health visitors, speech therapist, nursery workers have never had any concerns. They regularly tell me I am a fab mum. I am there for every play, every concert. Apparently my children always smell gorgeous (Comfort, the Orange one) My little one has autism and he has never missed an assessment, or therapy, and I have pushed and fought for every bit of help he's ever had. They are lovely, polite, well behaved (mostly) kids, and I've done it all on my own. The school knows I am mental (I am forever having total meltdowns in there) and are there for me, as well as the banshees. To reiterate, they have no concerns.
I could, as a coping mechanism, leave the kids with my sister and get hammered. That'd be fine. I could also take recreational drugs. I do neither. I have not OD'ed since becoming pregnant with my littlest banshee. I have an (admittedly rudimentary) knowledge of the major structures so I can avoid anything that incapacitates me or requires surgery.
So why does SH'ing make me a bad mother? I don't know how to stop yet.