I have a daughter and I was diagnosed when she was 4 years old. The things I learned: your child knows your symptoms and your moods better than you do so it's important to let them know they aren't responsible for taking care of you. Bipolar parents are impaired parents, put your children in therapy and work with their therapist closely to make the best possible home life for them you can. Find a therapist for you who is good at parenting issues. It's not a you situation anymore, it's a you with children situation. Until they leave the house, children are your primary responsibility. Expect them to have all kinds of reactions when you are symptomatic. That's why child therapy is critical.