Overnighters and Emotional Problems

Do you think a parent of a child, with a KNOWN mental disturbance,
should tell the parents of that child's friends when there is going to
be a sleep over?

I had a child over for a sleep over this week who has diagnosed
bipolar disorder. She was in a definite manic stage. I found out the
next day when I returned her to her mother.

I have a daughter with the opposite problems. She has anxiety,
depression, and tends to withdraw in situations she is uncomfortable
in. I always give other parents a heads up to her behavior, but not
specifics on the diagnosis or medications.

The one thing I am not comfortable with sharing is the fact that my
daughter takes medications. When my daughter recently went on an
overnighter, we did not send her medications, (for ADD and depression).


I guess I worry about 1) being judged, 2) overwhelming the other
parent with meds, (there are three pills) and finally 3) having the
younger friend find out and share the fact that my daughter takes
pills, at school.

We are open about her pill use if the topic comes up. She tells people
she takes a happy pill, and a focus pill, LOL.

And get this, the bipolar friend of my daughter got on Yahoo mail,
and opened a email that was sent to her, and there was some body part
picture in it. I did not see the picture, but my daughter relayed this
to me after the fact. Yes, I had parental controls on, but I do not
think it catches everything. My understanding was that they were at the
Barbie website. I have yet to tell the other parent about that
situation.

I am not thrilled with this overnighter stuff.

Mary