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The first rule is that there are no rules.
Each parent must find what works for their own child in their own particular circumstances.
Remember that your parenting did not cause your child's depression; but it can help it.
Resist the impulse to argue with or respond in confrontational manner to your resistant and sometimes difficult child. Hugs, soothing words and empathy with their feelings may be more effective. “A child requires love most when they deserve it least.”
As much as possible work to create a relaxed, stress-free, safe and supportive home environment.
Encourage your child to talk to you about their thoughts and feelings and then listen to what our child is telling you.
Allow children to back off from stressful situations and address them later when they are more in control.
A child in crisis and out of control cannot reason and depends on your calmness and stability. Remain calm and loving. Remove the child from stimulation. Give short, concrete directions: “Sit down.” "Take a deep breath." “Come with me.”
Encourage the child to take age appropriate responsibility for the management of his/her own disability: taking medications, talking with the doctor, remembering appointments, devising accommodations. Praise success, help them to learn from failure: “What can you do the next time this situation happens?” “What can you do to remember to take your medications?”
Help your child find positive ways of expressing feelings or ideas. Negative feelings can lead to negative habits. Remind them that negative feelings are not always related to to reality; the brain can play tricks on us.
Encourage exercise to improve depressive symptoms. Physical exercise stimulates the production of endorphins.
Find the good and praise it. Children who feel bad about themselves need extra doses of encouragement.
Encourage regular sleep habits. Allow time for sleeping in or cat naps and discourage late night or erratic sleep patterns.
Encourage the child to stay active; call a friend and go shopping, do something nice for others.
No one is perfect. Be ready to apologize when you have handled a situation badly. It will satisfy your child's sense of justice and encourage openness.
Choose your confrontations and their timing carefully. It may be necessary to lose some battles, or avoid them altogether, in order to win the war.
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