Question: Our 10-year-old daughter has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and learning disabilities. She is taking medication. Her behavior has escalated to the point to which my husband and I fight all the time in front of her and even threaten divorce. What do you recommend?
Answer: One of the most important gifts you can give your child is a stable marriage. Studies show that children develop more positive peer relations and successful intimate relationships as adults if their parents model a healthy marriage. There is no doubt that marriage is more challenging when raising a special-needs child. It is vital to accept the fact that your child has a disability and that there will be ongoing challenges ahead. Being flexible and keeping a positive outlook is important to everyone's morale. Try integrating yoga or some form of exercise into your daily life to work on developing a sense of calmness — to combat being overly reactive with your spouse and child. Spend uninterrupted time with your spouse and make physical and emotional intimacy a priority. Don't use the "d" (divorce) word, even in jest. Speaking with a therapist would be a good idea to learn additional strategies and techniques to deal with your child's challenging behaviors and improve your family dynamics.
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