Ann Douglas knows what it’s like to parent a child diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Ditto with depression, anorexia, Asperger syndrome and ADHD. Each of her four children has struggled with one or more conditions that fall under the “children’s mental health” umbrella.
From Canada’s bestselling and trusted parenting authority comes this honest and authoritative compendium of advice for parents who are living with children who have mental illnesses. It features interviews with experts on children’s mental health as well as parents and young people who have lived with (or who are living with) mental illness. Drawing on her own experience and expertise, Ann shows how to cope with years of worry and frustration about a child’s behaviour; how to effectively advocate for the child and work through treatments; how to manage siblings’ concerns and emotions; and, most importantly, how to thrive as a family.
A passionate and inspiring speaker, Ann delivers keynote addresses and leads small-group workshops at health and parenting conferences. If you've already met Ann via one her books, you know what you can expect from one of her presentations: to be inspired, informed, and entertained. Not only will she shift your thinking about parenting: she’ll move you to action as well—and in a way that leaves you feeling confident and capable as opposed to anxious, guilty, or overwhelmed.
It's taken me a long time to review this book, because I just kept going back to it and finding more. I can't help but think about how different my own life would have been had my parents had access to this wise, kind, insightful book -- and how valuable it would have been to me when my children were teenagers.
As always, Ann's research is broad, deep and thoughtful. As with her other titles, there is never a whiff of shame or even "you should" ... it's like sitting across from a remarkably wise friend who has done all the research, has had her own challenges experiences, and is wiling to share.
WHERE WAS THIS BOOK IN 2009 when we started the lonely journey to find answers on how to help our youngest daughter? The book is filled with valuable Canadian resources, tips and stories from families who live mental illness every day. I had the pleasure to ask Ann a few questions about the book. No spoilers! http://motherlessmoments.com/?p=2506
This book is a guide and resource tool that I wish I had when raising my daughter. Though my daughter is now 24 years old the emotions that were raised when reading Ann's book were at times overwhelming....
Remembering how hard and frustrating it was looking for information and feeling like you are alone in the battle.
As a parent your role of advocate for your child is stressful. The roadblocks you face will make you question yourself . Here is a book that tells you you are not wrong, there are others feeling the same. It gives you great advice for both the social and academic challenges you and your family might face.
I highly recommend this book .It is a useful guide written with compassion and understanding.
I read this mostly because I really like Ann Douglas -- at the moment I'm not the target audience for this book so can't comment from a place of real knowledge, but the advice seems very solid and reflects much of what I've heard on various online fora over the years. I'd recommend it.