In my last blog, I talked about the positives of being open with a child about his/her diagnosis. But just like "the birds and the bees," learning about bipolar disorder or depression is not about one big conversation. It involves many small conversations over years. It’s also about creating openness so that your child can feel free to come to you with questions.

My "top 6" tips for teaching your child about his/her diagnosis:

1. Research – Before I could teach my children about bipolar disorder (not to mention OCD, anxiety, learning disabilities and more), I had to learn about it myself. Think of a mother bird feeding her babies. First she must find the food and process it herself before the nutrients benefit her babies. While part of this process of learning can happen together, it’s best to gain a basic understanding first and continue growing in knowledge. When I find new and interesting research, I still share these tidbits with my now adult children.
2. Keep it Age Appropriate – Young children need little bits of information on a level they can understand. Don’t overload your child with too much information. Keep your conversations simple. When I started on this journey, there were no age-appropriate materials to choose from, so parents like me created them. Take advantage of that hard work. As your child grows, continue to make age appropriate material available.
3. Use a Variety of Media – Kids are often attracted to video and or audio. Try playing appropriate video or audio clips when your kids are in the room. These may spark important conversations. You can find audio clips here at The Balanced Mind Foundation and video clips on BPChildren.org. Clips about all sorts of disabilities or differences are also important. These help kids realize that they are not alone. Now that my son is older, he sends me interesting ones that he knows I’ll like. They are usually about advocacy, self-respect, or kids living with disabilities and overcoming hardship. I love that!!
4. Don’t Push It – If a child is resistant to these discussions, don’t push it. Keep conversations short and sweet. Sometimes a teachable moment is just a quick sentence or two. Don’t let a discussion about diagnoses become an argument or punishment. If you feel the situation getting tense, drop it for now. It’s better to be patient and look for a better time.
5. Point Out the Positives – On every appropriate occasion, point out the positives of their condition. Mention famous people with the same diagnosis in a matter-of-fact way. Talk about great artists and their amazing brains.
6. Normalize – Talk about their diagnoses in the context of other conditions such as diabetes, asthma and so on. If a relative or friend takes medication, make comparisons. The more open you are with discussing this condition, the less shame will be attached. Set the example by taking care of your own medical needs.

Have a tip that helped you teach your child? Please share in the comments below!