A mother has been praised for giving up her toddler for adoption because of her mental health difficulties.

The woman, who cannot be named, said she gave up her daughter because “one minute I am poorly and the next I am not”.

She explained in a letter to family court in Leeds that she wanted to give the little girl stability.

The note was described as “incredibly moving” by Judge Sarah Lynch, who said she hoped one day the girl in the case would be able to read her words.

The letter emerged during a private family court hearing but few details can be given to protect the child’s identity.

Social services had asked the judge to make a decision about the girl’s future, amid concerns she would not be safe with her mother who has long-term mental health difficulties.

The girl has been in temporary care while her future was decided. Her mother had been allowed to visit her, but said it will be difficult to continue as “it is simply too hard for me to go and leave her again”.

Judge Lynch said: “(The woman) has been able to understand what her daughter needs and to realise that very sadly she is not able to give her that.

“I cannot imagine how painful this has all been for her.

“It is obvious from her statement how much she loves her daughter and how she has only made the decision she has because of that love.

“There is nothing I can say that will make that pain any less, but hopefully by recording her words in this judgment I can make sure that (the girl) when she is older hears what her mum decided and why, in her mum’s own words.”

:: The letter in full

“At the current time one minute I am poorly and the next I am not.

“One minute I could care for her and then the next minute I would not be able to.

“I do not feel that this would be good for (her).

“I feel incredibly sad about the situation but I know (she) is going to go to a family who will love her and give her what I cannot give her at the moment.

“She will have stability in her life and will not be one minute with me and then with somebody else.

“She will grow up being happy and cared for for the rest of her life.

“(She) needs to be in a home where she can stay and not be moving around all the time.

“I have not had contact for some time now, not because I do not love (her), but because it is simply too hard for me to go and leave her again.

“I am sad that this situation is happening and it really hurts me but I am doing what is right for her.

“I will always love her, she is my daughter but I am doing this for her.

“I hope she gets placed with a really good family who will love her how I love her and will bring her up right and protect her.

“I hope she gets all the attention in the world from her new family.

“When she is matched with a prospective adoptive family I would like the opportunity to meet them if possible so that they know that (she) is loved by me and can tell her this.

“I am really sorry that it has come to this position but I know I am doing the right thing and I just want her to know that I love her and always will.”

:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK.

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