Parenting Through the Storm

October 24, 2016
From Douglas (The Mother of All Parenting Books) comes a tender guide for parents of children with psychological difficulties. Douglas, whose four children have all been diagnosed with psychiatric or learning disabilities, felt overwhelmed when they were young; now, her children are thriving young adults. Douglas intimately and poignantly shares her personal experiences, offering comfort and wisdom for other parents like her. Part one leads parents through "the storm" by breaking down the path into steps: evaluating symptoms, getting a diagnosis, and choosing a treatment, all while advocating for the child. Part two reminds parents that their love and support does make a difference in their children's lives, offering stress coping and management skills that focus on positive thinking and actions, while part three focuses on the importance of other family members (including one's own parents) and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Part four emphasizes that community, including schools and friends (for both parent and child), is also crucial during this difficult time, and part five discusses parents' hopes for their children and how to advocate for a better mental health system at large. This deeply personal account will move, support, and inspire parents who feel lost in dealing with challenging children.