New Year's Resolutions for
Parents:  How to parent yourself

Being the parent of a child or teen who is mentally ill is not easy. Often the challenges of parenting your child can be overwhelming. The professionals treating your child are required to focus on the needs of your child, and this can leave you, the parent, without an advocate. Having someone advocate for your rights, both as a parent, and as a person, is vital. Without support and advocacy, parents can become exhausted and depressed when facing the long battles often necessary to get their child the best help possible. Even in the best of situations, parents need help and support, and time to renew their spirit.

Therefore, your first resolution this year should be to find an advocate for you. A family member may be willing to fill this role, or perhaps a good friend. Make it clear that they are working for you, not your child. This may seem harsh or uncaring, but although your child needs every ounce of compassion she can get, you need someone to care about you in the same way. Remember that you are developing a network of people to advocate for your child. You deserve one person to advocate for you.