Everyone has issues and I for one feel grateful that I at least know what mine are and how to take responsibility for them. This is what I tell people to mitigate the shock and drama that come along with the word "bipolar".

It would help to know what exactly is freaking him out. In any relationship I have that is close enough to warrant them knowing I'm bipolar I try to make it as easy for other people as possible. I say "I have this thing, this is how I stay on top of it and here are some things you might see, here are some things you probably won't". I encourage people to ask questions and when I'm in a relationship I give them the option of participating if they are interested.

When I was in a serious relationship I actually gave my partner a blank copy of my mood chart and the option of doing her own record keeping. I mostly make it clear that I can take care of it on my own but there are some specific ways they can help if they want to.

There is a big difference between your relationship with your partner and your relationship with your own child. Those are separate relationships. I think that usually a good parent is their own harshest critic and the best judge of what their child really needs from them. Please don't let someone else take that away from you or your kid. Having a mood disorder does not automatically make you a danger to children. I'm awesome with kids, other adults...not as much.