The Heroic Parents' Club
If your child's behaviour is taking you down a road that is unfamiliar and terrifying, you are being invited to go on a hero's journey. The hero's journey begins when ordinary parenting challenges are a thing of the past, and you find yourself in a world of extra difficult trials and tribulations. These may include your child failing out of school, skirmishes with the law, running away, severe emotional dysregulation, cutting, suicide attempts, eating disorders, promiscuity and pregnancy, hospitalizations, homelessness and addiction.
WHEREVER YOU ARE ON THIS JOURNEY, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
I also have a son who struggles, so I know from lived experience that the journey of the heroic parent is also an ambiguous grief process. In order for the journey to be successful we need the right tools and wise travelling companions. The Heroic Parents’ Club is a safe space where we can share our stories—and our hard earned wisdom—with each other, thus moving us through our mourning to the final stage of grief: acceptance.
Please see the list of supports below and check back regularly for new events being posted including a speaker series, parent retreats, and my plans for a therapeutic farm program.
Support Group Virtual Drop-in
Thursdays 8-9 PM | FREE
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If you have a child who is struggling, there is a good chance you are experiencing many difficult emotions as you navigate this very complicated grief journey. This on-line support group will be a safe space to share our stories and our struggles. TOGETHER we will learn how to navigate the ambiguous line between when to let go and put some healthy boundaries around ourselves, and when to hold on tight. TOGETHER we will learn how to help our child, but not lose ourselves in their struggle. TOGETHER we will learn how to let go of our attachment to outcome and find some peace in the process.
Invitation To Change Webinar
Feb 8 | 10AM-4PM | FREE
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This webinar series is based on the Invitation to Change approach, and it is truly that — a helping approach based on inviting change in, not demanding or forcing it. It draws on the metaphor that if we behave like patient farmers by skillfully planting seeds, some of them will eventually grow and thrive. The Invitation to Change approach will give you insights and skills to help your child without fights, ultimatums or distancing yourself. This process will not be without pain or difficult moments, but it will give you a new perspective about how to help because at its core it is a collaborative, empathic, and compassionate approach for all involved, including you.
The Heroic Parent Journey Webinar February 22 | 1-4PM | FREE
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The heroic parent's journey begins when an ordinary parent steps bravely into a crisis by confronting their biggest fears, and is transformed by the experience allowing them to live their best life. For heroic parents, the hero's journey reflects the stages of ambiguous grief. This grief journey is not triggered by death, but by the death of the dreams we have for our child and our complicated relationship with their challenges. However, grief is a human experience that deserves to be honoured. By embracing this ‘call to adventure’, you’ll discover that the hero’s journey is ultimately a spiritual one—an opportunity to heal what is broken within you and evolve into a healthier and happier version of yourself.
Navigating Ambiguous Grief Workshop | Mondays March 3-31 | 12-1PM | FREE
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The heroic parent's journey begins when an ordinary parent steps bravely into a crisis by confronting their biggest fears, and is transformed by the experience allowing them to live their best life. For heroic parents, the hero's journey reflects the stages of ambiguous grief. This grief journey is not triggered by death, but by the death of the dreams we have for our child and our complicated relationship with their challenges. However, grief is a human experience that deserves to be honoured. By embracing this ‘call to adventure’, you’ll discover that the hero’s journey is ultimately a spiritual one—an opportunity to heal what is broken within you and evolve into a healthier and happier version of yourself.
Heroic Parents Book Club (Virtual)
The first Tuesday of the month starting in March | FREE
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Have you always wanted to join a book club but haven't found a group of kindred spirits? Or are you tired of wearing a mask and having to silence yourself at your regular book club? This book club is specifically catering to heroic parents, it will be a safe space where we can openly discuss our lives in the company of other people who "get it". We will meet virtually on the first Tuesday of every month, the first book will be Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction by David Sheff followed by Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines by David's son, Nic Sheff. If you want some motivation to get you started watch the movie, Beautiful Boy, which is based on their books.
Heroic Parent Resources
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Navigating the journey of the Heroic Parent is hard, but you are not alone, there is a lot of support for those of us on it. This is a list of support groups, podcasts and books to give you hope and help you on your own recovery, as well as affordable—not to mention excellent—treatment programs to help your loved one on theirs.
