Except...when she was hospitalized, who took care of the kids?

And the why of her hospitalization....sorry, you say that's a reason to be in a locked unit, that's pretty clear.

They didn't agree with her, but hospitalized her anyway, released her and then didn't follow her. Yay, I say, for being an adult in your majority and on your own until you actually Do Something Bad. Being clear about your own needs and fears isn't enough.

I'll admit it. If it were me, I wouldn't go home again. Yes, I am that stubborn. No way. If I checked myself in, I wouldn't check out again without knowing there were resources.

Hell, ask Jim. I'm even setting up backup care besides us, family and friends. Like three layers deep (and more). No, my kids will have care - it'll take something bigger than us falling down before things won't be okay. That's how I was raised, and that's how it's going to get passed on. Even if Mom was a single parent...we knew who to go to if something happened to her. And as we've gotten older, we go to each other - to a point - when there's a need.

I am. So angry. That she got left to fend for herself this way. Hello, largest mental health system in California - the penal system! No kidding.