My son is BP and is 10.Google childhood BP and read EVERYTHING.You are going to have to be her advocate.Do not depend on the Dr's and therapist to tell you everything and take notes and be proactive.Most of what I have learned I did so on my own.There is a wonderful book called"the ups and downs of living with a bipolar child" you can get it used on Amazon and also read exerpts on google.It is a wealth of knowledge in one book.

I don't have a bp child, but I was one :)

From the kids perspective - love them no matter what. Don't tell them they are weird or strange or a horrible child (you would be suprised what even "good" parents say when stressed out to the max).

Just love them and tell them tomorrow will be better. (hard to do in the middle of a rage match, I know)

First off, don't be scared. If I can do it, so can you. I mean shit ... look at me. I'm a goddamn mess. Yet somehow my kids turned out ok, and they all have bipolar. All except the ytoungest one have jobs, one has kids of her own. So yeah ... if I can do it, so can you.

I got it from my dad, and passed it on to all of our kids. I can give you some real broad stuff, but one thing I know for certain is that every child is different, and bipolar effects everyone in it's own way. Some stuff applies to all though.

School ... Keep a journal. Make a religion about it. Do not let it slip. This I think is obvious ... or would be to bp folks, but in case you're not, and you're reading this, it helps with diagnosis and treatment basically. There's a lot of other reasons for it but you'll find those out. Keep a separate book for homework assignments. Keep a separate work area at home. Be involved with your kids' teachers. Be careful communicating with them about bipolar. You would be freaking amazed how bone stupid some teachers can be. Use your judgment on this one.

Pals ... this is easy. Usually I had one good friend. My kids were the same. Normal kids may develop a cadre but *shrug* On the positive side, this made it easy to figure out our son was doing pot. He had a room full of friends. A break in the pattern tipped us off, Well ... that and the red bleary eyes.

Sports ... Individual sports work best in our experience, because there's less pressure. Plus, you can always measure your level of competition subjectively to appear encouraging. With team sports, it's oftem well, you lost, or yey you won.

Other than that, all the stuff that helps you survive will help your kids survive.

Thanks for all your replies. My daughter has been complaining about seeing and hearing things, and I used to until they put me on geodon. I am afraid that I might have passed down my bipolar.

Lots of honest and sincere compliments.

After doctors and such get her on a regiment schedule without hurting her. Good diet, fish oil, let her have some formof artistic endeavor, 8-10 hours of sleep,no tv or computer 2 hours before bedtime. 63-85% chocolate bars a yes. Lots of walking or other exercise.

63-85% chocolate bars a yes.

Chocolate for BP ? The only thing i have not tried.LOL I will actually enjoy this one.

I'm a parent of a Bipolar child, and a good pediatric psychiatrist is the first thing, then another good one for a second opinion. These are kids we're talking about. Therapy has proven very beneficial for my son. Also, I would recommed, in addition to this website, www.bpkids.org. And finally, three books: The Bipolar Child, Bipolar Kids, and Survival Strategies for Parenting Children with Bipolar Disorder. If you want the authors and ISBN #s, etc., just PM me.

The earlier you start treatment from a pdoc and a tdoc the better. Read, read, read, read, read, read, read, and read some more.