Experts Warn Parents of Toddler Depression

Funny how in today's world everybody has someo kind of illness to explain away how they act. Couldn't just actually be that the kid is cranky and it couldn't just be that maybe they just want have the kid become eligible for some special program or medicine. Reply

I agree, let's dope everyone up on..medicine..from a very young age. Parents who refuse are nut jobs and should have their children removed. Reply

I do believe children this young can experience depression, however, I do not think drugs are the answer. I bet Big Pharma funded that study. Bastards. However, my niece was three when her mother died in a car accident. She had a half-sister who went back to her father's custody, so they were split up after their mother's death. We tried to convince the other dad to let his daughter stay with my brother for a little while longer so they could be together, but the man convinced himself we were trying to circumvent his custody. Despite that, we worked with my brother's daughter to get through it. She asked a lot of questions & we answered as truthfully as we could while conveying to her how much her mother loved her & did not leave her on purpose. At one point, she wanted to see a coffin again (@3!), so my mom took her to the funeral home to see one. She saw a pillow in the coffin & asked if her mommy had one of those. My mom said absolutely, and after that, she began to come around & become the carefree child she was meant to be at that age. She would mention her mother from time to time, but with acceptance that she was gone. A lot of love, attention & nurturing without stifling or dismissing the child's feelings while also not catering to the child is what is needed, NOT drugs. Additionally, never discuss things a child should not hear in front of the child. Adults tend to figure a three year old cannot comprehend their conversation or is not paying attention, which is all the more reason not to have it in front of the child. They may not comprehend, but they damn well can hear & they DO listen. When left on their own to interpret what they heard, they can come to incorrect conclusions. Reply

Something else for parents to "worry" about. What about shy kids? This could be tricky..... Reply