I would get very angry outbursts at my mom, more like rage. But she would always try to pick a fight with me, and she just never understood you do NOT instigate arguments with a bipolar person, I will snap.

I get that with my kids sometimes. It could be something very minor they do, but when I’m in that certain mood, it can trigger angry outbursts, much worse than I think a parent would normally say to a child in the same situation. Kids are wonderful, but they are also very stressful, no sugar-coating that. I just pray my girls will remember more of the good times than my angry times.

For whatever reason, my 10 year old “gets it” and verbally tries to calm me down if I have an anger outburst. I think because she has ADHD and she used to be very moody (although a completely different child once we removed one of her medicines). I would explain to her how I was sick and had to take medicine to help my mood, just like she did. But to remember if my moods do get out of control, it’s not because I don’t love them, I love them more than anything, it’s because my illness sometimes makes my moods go out of control. She really seems to understand. I don’t think my 8 year old has that level of understanding yet, but if she hears me crying she will come to hug and snuggle in my lap telling me not to cry, it will be okay. Both of them will. And if my husband is around, he will make me leave the room if my anger at them gets too bad. When they get older I just hope they understand I tried the best I could.

Being a parent with bipolar disorder is hard. . Especially if minor things can bring on anger outbursts. I was of the understanding that this is a manic symptom, that’s what I’ve been told. I’m chronically in mixed episodes, and I think that affects the outbursts.