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When your child has a mental illness or addiction, life is not the same as before their illness.  It is likely that not only are you experiencing new challenges, but you are seeing differences in your child. His or her actions, behaviors, abilities, things they enjoy, and how they relate to the world may be different…

If you have a child with mental illness or addiction, you may be living in fear.  Fear of the unknown. Fear of something negative happening. Even when things seem to be going better, you may be worrying about when the next thing will happen (fear the next show will drop). When you are so focused…

If you have a child who is suffering from depression or is struggling in any way with their mental health or addiction, it is important to your relationship with your child to remember: They are suffering from an illness  It is not anyone’s fault, no one is to blame…not them, not you They are not…

I am so excited that I just submitted my book proposal for the Hay House Writer’s Membership contest!   I have been working on my book proposal the past 2.5 months while also writing my book.   Through sharing my story of the love and loss of my son through his mental illness and addiction and how…

Sometimes it can feel difficult when your teen or young adult child takes a different path from the one you would like for them. I know, as I have been there with my oldest son. When you try to take control, you may feel frustrated and begin to  realize you can’t make them do things your…

Have you ever noticed that you feel more peaceful and less stressed when you don’t take personally what your teen or young adult child does?   When you take things personally, you begin to focus on what you did wrong or what you did to cause what your child is doing or saying.   It is important…

Are you experiencing painful emotions such as sadness, fear, anger?   Painful emotions are clues we may need to make a change. If you ignore your emotion, it won’t get better, it will likely persist. If you can’t change the situation that is happening, you can change your interpretation of the experience. For example, when my…

What if? Are these words defining how you are living your life as the parent of a teen or young adult child? What if he hangs out with friends who are using drugs? What if she starts drinking again?  What if he overdoses?   Are you imagining the worst and always anticipating what may go wrong next?  …

Self blame and self judgment can be destructive for parents and ultimately lead to isolation.   If your teen or young adult child has mental illness or drug or alcohol addiction, I know this can be especially hard.   If you feel shame over the chaos, you may find it difficult to share what you’re going through…

Do you find yourself putting your feelings on hold in order to tend to others? When you have been experiencing difficulties with your teen or young adult, whether from their depression, mental illness, drug or alcohol use, or anything else causing a challenge, you may not even realize that what you feel is coming second…