Vivian Said:

What if a child is abusive?

We Answered:

Yes, you can and should call the police if you feel in danger. I have done so with my own son. He's bipolar and hadn't been diagnosed, and was unmedicated. He flipped out one day, (not the first time) and was pulling my hair, biting me, scratching, kicking, screaming obscenities, and let me tell you I was scared. He was 9. I called 911. It took them 45 minutes to get there as they didn't fully understand what I meant by "out of control". By the time they got there, I had him pinned to the floor where he couldn't hurt me any more, but he was still screaming obsenities. We were all ... I still can't say the word, and don't know where he learned it at.

For his behavior, he earned a night in juvenile detention, and a 2 wk vacation at our nearest psych hospital, where we finally learned he was bipolar and were able to begin to get help for him. It took 2 wks for the bruises that he had given me to fade, they were that bad. Big, black, nasty bruises all up and down my arms from where he had bitten me. Don't let it get to that point. That was the first and last time he hurt me. He knows now, I won't hesitate to call 911, and he hated juvenile detention, and the psych hospital with a passion.

If the meds aren't working, go back to the psych. and ask for help. You don't say what she is diagnosed with.

The police will help you, just make it clear what the situation is.

As for my own son, we've now got the right meds, he's not had an episode in 8 months, and we have no more meltdowns, he's a normal 12 yr old, not perfect, but a great kid to have around.

Keep trying, and don't give up on her. But you have to remain firm. You can't let her get away with all that.