Raising Troubled Kids : Help for parents of children with mental and emotional disorders

Margaret Puckette, author of Raising Troubled Kids

Since her child first showed signs of psychosis, Margaret dedicated herself to understanding how to raise her child and create a home life that kept chaos to a minimum and invited healing and recovery. This site and Margaret's book represent her experience and that of 100's of other parents. Her message: you can effectively parent a troubled child, and maintain your sanity and strength along with the rest of the family.

Margaret Puckette facilitates family support groups, and is a Family Partner with Wraparound Oregon, and supports and mentors low-income families with troubled teens in Portland, Oregon USA. She has also been a family advocate in a children's psychiatric residential center.

Raising Troubled Kids: Help for parents of children with mental and emotional disorders “Raising Troubled Kids” is a book with practical information from parents and families like yours, and ideas and techniques from mental health therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists.

Read the reviews and sample pages; it's only $14.99 at Amazon.com .

"This book is a straight shot to practical solutions. Wow." -- Mary Susan Overby

Help for Parents of Children with Mental and Emotional Disorders

A troubled child or adolescent can rob the energy and well being of any parent or caregiver and their family. But you can stop this from happening, and you can raise a difficult child while keeping yourself and the rest of your family safe and thriving.

This site is dedicated to YOU: the parents, or other caregivers, and siblings of a child or teen with a mental disorder.

Recovering Family Sanity: Get your life back and restore your family’s peace of mind.
FAQs: Ask a question, and I'll answer it here and on the blog
Blog: Find regular articles about common parenting issues, join the discussion, get support for your concerns, and find out some good news from research.
Resources: Links to recommended web sites with a focus on children and teenagers living with ADHD, autism, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, OCD, oppositional defiant disorder, PTSD, schizophrenia, and many other behavioral challenges. Also included is information about medications and books.

Remember:

You are not alone -- children's behavior problems are common, and all are caused by mental or medical disorders related to their genetics or environment. There are many different ways to help children with behavioral problems, and most of them work and few are harmful.

It's no one's fault -- All families experience the same struggles, no matter what your child’s age, diagnosis, or cause for their serious behavior.

You can start now — even if there is no diagnosis or known cause. The steps to returning order in your life and home are the also same for all families.

Your parenting techniques must be very different, not the same common sense practices as you would use with a 'normal' child. These are easy to learn, but take practice.

Get a new attitude and outlook -- First, your child would do better if they could. Second, your child has a true disability. Your child and family deserve the same compassion and support as any other family with a disabled child.

You can get your life back and return safety and order to your home.

Read the latest articles on my blog:

Defying ODD: what it is, and how to manage

Teachers and Stigma: judging and blaming families

For men only - too often unsupported as caregivers

Last updated: February 2010