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Judgment of ourselves can be something we do without even realizing it. It can come in the form of judging our feelings.  For example, you feel angry years after your child was diagnosed with mental illness or became addicted to drugs and you are judging your feelings in that you think you should no longer be…

If you have a teen or adult child with mental illness and/or addiction, you may at times experience their anger directed at you. I don’t want you to internalize that.  Their anger likely has nothing to do with you.   It can be anger at their illness, addiction, life circumstances, difficulties and hardships related to…

Tonight was the pilot episode of my new internet TV talk show and podcast, Finding Peace Beyond the Pain.   Because we as parents love our children, we experience pain and grief when the mental illness, addiction, or death of our child forever changes our lives. Finding Peace Beyond the Pain, hosted by Debbie Gail Zane, brings…

When you have a child with a mental illness or addiction, navigating this illness is a marathon not a sprint. If you are spending all your energy worrying, angry, fearful, stressed, you are going to run out of steam.   When you have been worrying about your teen/adult child’s safety and future for so long, you…

If you want to take a step towards a more loving relationship with your teen/adult child, begin with thinking of all the things you love about them. And if right now you are having some difficulties with conflict, communication, or whatever it is, I do understand this could be difficult at first. But think back…

If you are a parent experiencing pain and grief when the mental illness, addiction, or death of your child forever changes your life, you don’t want to miss my new Internet TV and Podcast Show – Finding Peace Beyond the Pain. Watch live every Friday at 7pm ET beginning March 22 on Amazon Fire TV,…

I know that trying to help a teen or adult child who is struggling with mental illness and/or addiction can be nerve-racking. So many parents spend sleepless nights in fear about where their child may be and what dangers they may be exposed to.  This is something that few other parents understand – and this…

Keeping the lines of communication open can be critical when your teen or adult child is suffering from mental illness or addiction.  Here are some tips for being that safe space for them, so they will feel they can come to you, no matter what they are dealing with- When you listen without judgment and…

I know it can feel so difficult when your teen or adult child is doing something that you know isn’t good for them or is not doing something you feel is important.   Inside, you feel strongly about what they should do differently and what they should not do.   You try hard to make them do…

What if? Are these words defining how you are living your life as a parent? What if he hangs out with friends who are using drugs? What if she starts drinking again?  What if he overdoses?  What if her mental illness symptoms worsen?  Are you imagining the worst and always anticipating what may go wrong next?   When…