A father wrote to me. This is part of it: Our son is a methamphetamine addict. Fortunately for our family, my wife and I are still together and my son is doing well halfway into his fourth year of being clean. Mothers are so loving, so strong and so caring. However, those wonderful qualities, in my opinion, can be enabling when dealing with an addict.
My response to the passage: Mothers might enable more frequently than fathers, but I’m not sure. What I am sure about is that all family members are affected by their child’s addiction. The addiction steals into our home and takes a place among us, destroying our relationships and laughing at our powerlessness. If parents communicate well and work together for the good of their addicted child, everyone benefits.
Today’s Promise: I will listen to my spouse and respect her feelings. I will listen to my child and be present for him. I recognize that we are all in pain and suffering together, but each in his own way.
Mothers are strong loving and caring and so are fathers. Those qualities are not enabling. They are wonderful qualities that were taken extreme advantage of by the addict child.
Hugs,
Gina
Gina,
GREAT insight!! You are 100% correct. Those qualities are not enabling, but our addicted child knows how to use them to his advantage. You helped me see something in a new way. We learn together. Thanks!!
Libby
Thank you, Gina. I agree with you. Your comment helped me rid just a little more of the guilt I live with every day.
Libby, thank you so much for this blog. It has helped me so much. I’ve learned a lot.
Love,
Barbara
Dear Libby,
Yes, we do learn together. Thank you for teaching me the valuable lesson of; staying close.
Abbraccio
Gina
Dear Barbara,
I am glad that you have rid yourself of some guilt because of my comment. We all carry so much guilt for the would’ve, could’ve! Lets not carry it for being loving, caring and strong.
Hugs,
Gina
Hugs,
Gina