I am a mother with a daughter diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. My journey has been to hell and back. Initially, I didn’t have the tools needed to help her, but through therapy and classes, I learned. I discovered empathy, communication tools, and different ways of parenting.

At the peak of her illness, I had to stop working, and I took carer’s leave. I loved my job. My days were consumed by driving back and forth to hospitals. Care for myself went down the drain. I couldn’t always be there for my other daughter.

The emotional roller coaster cannot be paralleled. There were times I had nothing left to give. There were times I thought my daughter would die or would never recover. But eventually something changed, and one gruelling day at a time she fought the illness. I was by her side the entire time. It was the most mentally draining thing I’ve ever done, but her life was worth it. I could give up my life for her, and save myself later, so that’s what I did.

She is well into recovery now, so I am taking more time for myself. It is hard carving that space back when it was gone for so long. If I have one piece of advice for other parents, it’s to be kind to yourself. Fight for your child, but take care of yourself too. Always keep hope. Our situation felt hopeless, but now together as a family, we are recovering.