For me, calling for back up is very difficult. But, when parenting a child with mental illness and feeling like I'm not able to deal, calling for back up is the best thing I could do. If you're like me, you have a hard time asking for help because you want to make sure everything gets done right. The hardest challenge I've had in parenting Bob is being comfortable asking for help. Below are some reasons why making a call for back up can be good for you.

Kindness is one of the sweetest ways to show love to your special needs child. Last week, I wrote about being the kind of parent you'd like for yourself. Sometimes because of my own stress and issues, I'm not very kind to Bob. Instead of responding in a loving manner, I have responded rudely and end up shutting down what could be a great conversation. I know this isn't something that only happens with me.

Of all of the lessons I've realized as a parent of a child with mental illness, the biggest parenting lesson has been that kids need all of the encouragement they can get. Bob is the product of an unplanned pregnancy, but he has been my best accomplishment. Why? Because I've been able to be the parent that I needed as a child.

To keep your cool while parenting a child with mental illness sometimes takes every drop of your energy. Especially when you're annoyed, upset, cranky, irritated or just plain stressed out. Getting upset is a normal thing for all people, but it takes a few tricks to keep your anger in check. And when you can keep your cool, your child will, too. Here are three steps you can use to keep your anger in check and calm down.

Hiya parents! As school has been in session a little over a five weeks, I wanted to share some tips to help your special needs child in the classroom. One of the biggest challenges parents of children with mental illness have is dealing with issues in the classroom. How can you possibly work on something with your special needs child if you're not even in the classroom? Well, these are tips that can help you help your special needs child.

I talk a great deal about self-care for parenting a child with mental illness. The task isn't easy. Not only are you responsible for this child, but you also need to address his or her mental illness. We spend so much time caring for our kids that we don't have time to care for ourselves.

There is no such thing as a perfect parent, but there are imperfect parents everywhere. I'm one of them. It is amazing how much I expect to be a great parent, not a perfect one, but a great one. Especially because I'm a single, working mom with a special needs child. And even more so when Bob is dealing with a tough situation.

Yesterday was National Psychotherapy Day according to Twitter.com. After doing some research, I discovered that it was the 2nd annual celebration and was founded by a group of clinicians, graduate students and supporters of psychotherapy in California (NationalPsychotherapyDay.com). The designation was designed to spread awareness about psychotherapy and reduce the stigma of seeking mental health treatment.

Hiya fellow parents. I share a lot about self-care here. What to do and why it is so important to practice good self-care. But, I don't always follow my own advice. And when I don't, everything seems to backfire for me. It happened last week with Bob's school attendance.

Back to school time has rolled around again and it's time to prepare your special needs child for the school year. In my post about goal-setting, I shared how Bob created his own goal and made a plan (with my help) to get it done. But, I'd also like to share some tips on how to get your special needs child ready for a successful school year.