I learned to say No

Do I go cold turkey—to borrow a recovery phrase—or cut them off in baby steps? Do I continue to pay for things that support a drug-free lifestyle, like substance abuse counseling, sober living houses, rehab costs or sever all financial ties? What if they can’t afford to eat? What if they’re in withdrawal and ask

Boundaries Can Work

I really think it’s finally sinking in! Yes, boundaries do work if you don’t give up. I have been trying for so long to get my son to stop badgering me when I say I can’t do something for him. Recently it’s been watching his kids. Every day it’s another request and another outburst when

Recovery Doesn’t Equal Peace

I am finding that although my son is in recovery, many of his personality traits still reflect his drug use. He is very selfish, he only wants from others and isn’t giving. Everything he does has a motive behind it. He still tries to make others feel guilty and always has a million excuses. So

Frustration

Frustration! Is there a reason to lie about everything? I honestly felt that things would improve when my son was in recovery. I guess it’s hard to break habits that have become so much a part of him. So when will it finally click? When he is caught is a lie he twist things around

Gaslighting

Have you ever heard of Gaslighting? I hadn’t until yesterday when someone posted an instagram photo about it. Honestly I had no idea and guess what? It’s been done to me. I always knew something was wrong, I knew I didn’t imagine things and I knew what I said but I was told I was

Defying Manipulation

The only time he calls is when he needs something from me. This morning I did not respond to his text message of “call me”. Why should I? It’s so frustrating. I would love if he called or texted and just said, “Hey Mom, just checking in, hope everything is ok, can I do anything

Today is another day

Every day brings new challenges, new joys and gives life new meanings. Today is a day I’d prefer not to hear my sons problems. You see even after 12 years he has still not paid his restitution from his felonies. He has been on probation for 12 years! He has been given more breaks then

It’s not always easy, in fact it’s never easy

The hardest thing I had to do was apply for a visitor pass at the county prison. I didn’t feel like I would make it through the day, but I did. And it wasn’t as bad the next time. Yes sadly there was a next time. But those 16 felonies were knocked down to just

Hello world! Ready to begin!

*** It’s been 1 year and a half since I started writing this blog. So much has changed but so much has remained the same. My son has been in jail several times, He’s there right now and will miss the birth of his daughter this week. Instead of becoming more positive about his recovery