Debbie Gail Zane

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 with others, including those closest to you.  Fear of being judged may prevent you from opening up and may cause isolation.

Or maybe you have tried to share and those around you may wonder why you can’t fix the problem or change the circumstances so you begin to isolate.

It is important to understand that it is not because of you that this is happening with your child.

You did not cause the problem.

And you don’t need to take their actions or choices personally.  They are not about you.

When you can free yourself emotionally from self blame and judgment, you can begin to allow others into your world and find the support you need in your life so you no longer feel so alone.

Sending love and light,

Debbie

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 to managing the crises.

Over time this can cause you to lose touch with your ability to honor your feelings.

You may be reacting immediately without time to think first.

Instead of responding after taking some time to consider how you would like to handle the situation.

Pausing to connect with your own feelings can allow you to make decisions that will best support you and thus your child.

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 I turned my pain into my purpose, my book will help parents on a similar journey feel they are not alone and will give them hope for peace and healing and the inspiration to go on.

Writing the proposal has been a journey of really getting clear on my book’s core message, my audience, and why and how this book will help them.  It has been an amazing experience and I’m excited to continue on with writing my book.

My book is aligned with the work I do in helping other parents that are going through something similar, to let go of their fears and live a life of peace and purpose while building a loving lasting relationship with their child.