| Are you the parent of a child who is often | | | | I want my children to realise that they can talk to |
| depressed? Are you a child who often feels down in | | | | me about any aspect of their life and that I will be |
| the dumps and depressed? This article offers advice | | | | here to help and not judge them. Life in general, with |
| for both parents, other family members and children | | | | school as an example, can at times be quite tough, |
| about how to deal with, reduce and even eradicate | | | | with things such as bullying affecting a lot of children. |
| this depression. | | | | There is the added pressure of examinations and also |
| I remember from my own childhood having many | | | | trying to establish ones self within a group of friends. |
| periods when I was very unhappy and sad. I was the | | | | Moving schools and going through all of the bodily |
| type of person who would let aspects from my life | | | | changes can also be quite uncomfortable for many |
| get on top of me which would at times affect my | | | | children. |
| sleep patterns. I found growing up through childhood, | | | | As a family we try to make our childrens home life |
| into a teenager and ultimately into my adulthood as | | | | as enjoyable and relaxed as possible. This includes |
| one big choir and struggle. I was forever comparing | | | | many family days out and where financially possible, a |
| my own life to that of my brother, sister and friends. | | | | family holiday abroad in the summer. |
| Their lives seemed so much easier than what mine | | | | My advice to any parent who has an unhappy or |
| was and this made me feel quite jealous of them. | | | | often depressed child would be to be very patient |
| Looking back one of my faults was that I was not | | | | with them through these periods. I, as I have already |
| willing to discuss my worries and fears with my | | | | stated would try and get them to talk about what is |
| parents and basically kept them bottled up inside of | | | | making them feel in this way and if they do not |
| me. This meant of course that I had to deal with | | | | want to talk, would let them know that I am there |
| each and every issue (problem) on my own without | | | | for them if they do ever want a chat etc. |
| any outside help or advice. I wish that I had been | | | | My advice for a child who is feeling depressed would |
| more open with my family as I think my life would | | | | be to talk to your family, a friend or a teacher. They |
| have been that much happier if I had. | | | | say that a problem shared is a problem halved and I |
| I am now a parent of two children myself and am | | | | really believe in this statement. You do not have to |
| always looking out for them. I try and gage how | | | | be alone in this world and the advice that you are |
| they are coping with life and if I feel that they are in | | | | given could be of huge benefit to you. Despite what |
| an unhappy period or mood, I then attempt to find | | | | you might think all children have problems and worry |
| out what is causing this by trying to talk to them. | | | | about many different aspects of their own life. Your |
| They are not always happy to discuss these issues | | | | parents were of course children many moons ago |
| but I then make sure that they understand that I will | | | | and may have experience in the issues which you are |
| be here for them when they are ready to open up. I | | | | not happy about. Do not make the same mistakes |
| talk to them about my own childhood and about the | | | | that I did by keeping these problems to yourself as it |
| mistakes I feel that I made by keeping my own | | | | does not help to reduce your fears or depression. |
| worries to myself. | | | | |