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

This site contains links to many websites that contain advocacy information for parents. There are several national organizations who can help you and offer advice. Look for local chapters of these organizations close to where you live, and contact them. You can join an email list for support from other parents who may have already faced your challenges. Ask your child’s doctor for her recommendations. Whatever the source, advocacy serves to make sure that your needs are being met, and your rights are not violated.

Your second resolution might be to become more assertive. The next time someone suggests that you are the cause of your child’s behavior, and not the disorder, what are you going to do? Will you listen to the advice on how to better discipline your child yet another time? Will you wearily accept the criticism and privately wonder what is wrong with you? Or will you firmly and calmly say thank you, but no thanks? Being assertive does not mean that you lose your temper or yell and scream. Being assertive means that you are able to stand up for yourself, defend your parenting techniques (even though you shouldn’t have to), and explain yet again what your you and your child need. Being assertive requires you to remain calm in the face of stupidity or spite. Rise above the occasion to take you or your child out of the offensive situation. Do not allow an incompetent or ignorant remark to pass by if answering could educate. Future parents will thank you when they meet someone who learned from your assertiveness.