[constantdreamer]

So, I wrote something to submit to various places like newspapers and stuff like that... I'd like to get some feedback before I do so... Also if anyone has any suggestions on where to send it as well...

You may have encountered me or a parent like me... A parent that possibly in your opinion doesn't know how to control their kid... I'm not saying that every “normal looking child” that still has temper tantrums past an appropriate age has a neurological disorder like my son does that causes him to have kind of an emotional seizure... These episodes are made worse by doing certain things like not remaining calm, yelling, threatening, etc...
To get through a necessary trip to the grocery store, you have to be able to remain calm, because a simple “no” can bring it on... Myself and most parents of Bipolar children don't give in to everything, but chose their battles very wisely... If the way the child can get through the trip without a major loss of control is to move around more than the other kids in the store, act babyish or like an animal, we don't correct that behavior, (because in my opinion, it's not harming anyone) but at the same time, we don't give it any extra attention...
When people make comments, it not only scares the child later, when he can process what, if anything, that he remembers from the episode, but it also can affect the innocent siblings that may be present. Making them feel even more embarrassed and alienated than they already do... It definitely hurts my children's feelings when they hear or even perceive that some person is believing that their mom (and/or dad) is a bad parent(s). At only the preteen age, they can read the expressions on people's disapproving faces just as well as adults can, but don't have the life experiences to just let it roll off their backs when they know that there is a real medical problem that causes the behaviors that everyone is witnessing...
Please next time before you judge, I just want to raise some awareness to what it's like to raise a Bipolar child... The following websites provide some information to not only those who are needing answers and support, but has helpful insights to anyone who cares to take the time to check it out... www.bipolarchild.com www.bpkids.org www.jbrf.org

[agma]

I think it is great. I work with kids with developmental disabilities and know too well the judging that you are talking about. I believe the only way to fight it is to educate people.

[Leed]

Thank you for this post. I think it is very important to educate people in general that judging parents is absoluttely wrong.

I think it would be a good idea if you posted this on ALL the forums. I dont know if you can do that, but I think it would be a good idea. We ALL need to be reminded that some kids have problems and we can't judge the parents!

Thanks again for the reminder! Hugs, Lee

[mrskid]

well done. I also think people need to stop judging others when they dont know the whole story