MJ – mental illness is a family burden, shared by everyone in the household – including young siblings. It is impossible for parents to protect their other children from the behaviours of a mentally ill child.

Perhaps you do not realize that the author has two other children and grandchildren as well.

When would you stop expecting your other children to help you carry the burden of a mentally ill child? Or do you believe your other children should help you take care of their sibling for the rest of their lives? At what age would you expect your children’s children to start helping you as well?

Despite your good intentions, I believe that refusing to establish and maintain boundaries for one of your children is abandoning your responsibilities to your other children. For that reason, if I were still a child and was given the choice between you and the author, I would choose the author.