Creating Structure and Routines #TipTuesday Every Tuesday we will be sharing a new parenting tip. So don't forget to subscribe to our social media pages to be alerted every Tuesday! Links can be found below. When you have a special needs child, it is especially important to create structure and routines. Routines build safety and [...]
Working on a new parent brochure I recently called a local high school asking what some of their biggest challenges were with regards to parents and their child's mental health. We are focused on health insurance equality so we knew access to care would be an issue, but one of their biggest issues was dismaying [...]
Too long have schools and society ignored bullying. In many ways society has encouraged it. Going so far as to tell a young girl that if a boy hits them it is because they like them. What message does that send to young girls and boys? That it is ok to hurt someone because you [...]
Suicide awareness month is upon us. During this month we share with others and encourage them to reach out. I have felt compelled to share my story. Perhaps you will read about me and see yourself. Or you will see a friend, a loved one, a co-worker who needs your help. My hope is that [...]
Unfortunately, I will never know whether the medication I put my son on for depression and anxiety played a part in his suicide. He died January 11 of 2016. The day all my nightmares came to life. Jake struggled with mental Illness practically his entire life. We had been dealing with violent outbursts since he was [...]
I believe losing a child is the most brutal loss there is, but I hope what I have learned from the death of my son can help you in some small way. To the parents reading this who have lost a child, I wish I could hug you and make the pain go away, but [...]
Imagine your son or daughter comes home. They sit you down and they tell you they are gay or transgender; what is your reaction? How do you respond? Do you believe they are evil, that they are being deceived by the devil, that they are a sinner? Do you love and accept them, and tell [...]
Children struggling with mental illness face many challenges. Sometimes the pressures of school can create additional issues and put more pressure on your teen. For teens struggling with mental illness, the pressure can be immense. Just getting out of bed can be a battle. Some children may feel overwhelmed when faced with a test, others [...]
© Biker3/Adobe Stock To watch or not to watch? I belong to a private Facebook support group for sibling survivors of suicide and that is the question that currently seems to be the most common concern for its 1,595 members. Have you also been struggling to decide whether or not to watch [...]
Let's face it, being a parent is hard work. It's probably the hardest job you will ever have. Adding special needs to parenting can make it seem almost impossible. To the mother facing that challenge I have a message: you are not failing, nor are you a failure. I remember days when my son Jake [...]
