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Life does not always give us what we are expecting and can bring many challenges that make us question our ability to handle the pain. When Debbie’s oldest son, Alex, was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder at age seventeen after being hospitalized for nearly a month and then became addicted to drugs and alcohol, she wasn’t prepared for how to deal with what she would be up against over the next nine years and the fear, anxiety, and grief she would experience. read more

How I handled fear on my parenting journey

If you are a parent of a child with mental illness or addiction who is feeling overwhelmed with fear, you don’t want to miss this segment from last week where I was a guest on The Kornelia Stephanie Show: Stories That Inspire Hope with Kornelia Stephanie and Friends. Use the links below to hear how I handled fear in my journey of the love and loss of my son through his mental illness and addiction.

Here is the TTR Link where you can listen / download the show: https://www.transformationtalkradio.com/e/32910

Here is the YouTube link where you can view it: https://youtu.be/NlXhciIEoOQ

(My interview begins at minute 13:50)

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You can join my Facebook group Loving Parents Navigating Challenges here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3075560526105218/

As a Life and Relationship Coach, I help parents rise above their fear, confidently navigate their challenges, and build a loving relationship with their teen or young adult child.  Reach out to me if you want to learn how to go from fear to freedom.

Posted: May 12, 2022 by asiadmin

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If your child has a mental illness or is using drugs or alcohol, life can feel unpredictable

If your child has a mental illness or is using drugs or alcohol, life can feel unpredictable.

Giving you a lot of uncertainty as to what will happen.

Uncertainty that results in you hanging on tight to the need for things to be certain.

One crisis after another can actually meet that need for certainty, just not in a way you would like.

You may not even realize this until you become so accustomed to living in crisis mode that you feel uneasy if you’re not in the midst of chaos.

Become aware when this is happening.  This awareness will allow you to focus on healthier ways to give yourself certainty in a world of unpredictability.

Sending love and light,

Debbie

Join my Facebook group Loving Parents Navigating Challenges https://www.facebook.com/groups/3075560526105218/

As a Life and Relationship Coach, I help parents rise above their fear, confidently navigate their challenges, and build a loving relationship with their teen or young adult child.  Reach out to me if you want to learn how to go from fear to freedom.

Posted: May 12, 2022 by asiadmin

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Do you find yourself putting your feelings on hold in order to tend to others?

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.

Posted: May 12, 2022 by asiadmin

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Finding Peace and Purpose amidst the Tears