Author: Sam Bowman
Home should be a safe haven for children living with bipolar disorder. As a parent or caregiver, you have the unique opportunity to create a supportive home environment for them that fosters growth and compassion. As they’re growing up, children diagnosed with bipolar can be empowered and nurtured by their home life if it’s set up to benefit them. From establishing routines to cultivating open, honest communication, learn how to make intentional choices in your home to best support your child with bipolar.
Potential Challenges at Home for a Child With Bipolar
While every child and situation is unique, raising children with bipolar disorder comes with some commonalities at home. Both the children and the parents or caregivers may deal with challenges that arise from living with bipolar, including some of the following:
● Heightened levels of stress and emotional volatility surrounding discipline, boundaries, meal times, homework, and studying;
● Sleep disturbances like insomnia or oversleeping that lead to fatigue and cognitive impairment;
● Issues with physical safety due to impulsive, aggressive, or self-harming behaviors during manic or depressive episodes — or even side effects from medications affecting coordination, balance, and alertness;
● Stigmatization and misunderstanding from others in the neighborhood or family if they are unaware of the child’s diagnosis and the implications.
In the face of these challenges, you can create a supportive, empathetic home environment to improve the child’s well-being, keep everyone safe, and ease the strain on the entire family. It’s important to integrate these adjustments into your home without placing blame or making the child feel as if they are a burden. Instead, try making some of the following changes naturally, allowing them the space to ask why and respond with patience and kindness.
Choosing Safe Home Decor, Spaces, and Amenities
The physical aspects of your home play an important part in keeping your child safe. Depending on the age of your child, you will want to take different approaches to childproofing. Childproofing is important across the board to prevent mishaps or access to dangerous objects. Consider securing appliances and furniture, stowing away sharp objects, covering electrical outlets, and installing safety gates. Check each area of the home through the lens of whether or not it would be safe for your child when they are struggling with mania or depression.
Don’t forget to childproof your garage and yard, as well. These are home to many hazardous materials like gas, paint thinner, paint remover, antifreeze, and anything with toxic chemicals. Remember that you may have dangerous tools in your yard or garage, such as a lawnmower, saw, or even a ladder that could facilitate your child getting into dangerous places.
Making It Sensory-Friendly
While prioritizing physical safety, you can also make your home sensory-friendly. Bipolar sensitivity issues can be heightened based on mood, so you won’t always notice your home’s impact on your child. However, preparing now can ease their overwhelm in times of need.
Consider soft lighting, comfortable blankets, noise-canceling headphones, and a place where your child with bipolar can retreat when feeling overstimulated. It may also help to also keep a consistent routine so your child knows what to expect at home at all times.
Creating Positive Opportunities
Further, selecting a kid-friendly neighborhood can positively impact a child living with bipolar. Check out resources online to learn about local traffic, crime statistics, parks, and public spaces, and you can even talk to locals about how good the area is for raising kids. Look for proper signage, good schools, and well-maintained public areas. These spaces can provide your child with opportunities for socialization and physical activity, vital for emotional regulation and building resilience.
There can be educational challenges for children with bipolar, but you can facilitate further learning at home to enhance their educational experience. Provide stimulating books and engage them in activities that get them thinking. You understand their needs best, so creating a home environment where they are free to explore different styles of learning supports both their academic growth and emotional stability.
Fostering Open Communication and Coping Skills
If children with bipolar feel like they are seen and heard at home, they will feel more supported and able to build better resilience in all interactions. As a parent or caregiver, foster open communication with them by actively listening, validating their feelings, and teaching them effective coping skills. Practicing these skills in the safety of their home can promote healthier relationships and boost confidence.
Moving Forward
Above all, you want to create a home that is conducive to your child growing into their best self. Living with bipolar disorder comes with unique challenges, but a supportive home environment is the first step to resilience and coping.
