I Can Fix This

And Other Lies I Told Myself While Parenting My Struggling Child

By: Kristina Kuzmic, Shefali Tsabary Ph.D.

Narrated by: Kristina Kuzmic, Soneela Nankani, Luka Kuzmic

Length: 4 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

From the author of Hold On, But Don’t Hold Still, the emotionally charged and eye-opening account of a mother who navigates the cacophony of best practices and urgent advice from parenting authorities in search of a way to support her teen as he maps his own path to mental health.

When Kristina Kuzmič started to see signs that her otherwise sunny, resilient teenage son was struggling, she was sure a few simple fixes could right the ship. But over the following months, the issues her family faced became more nuanced, complicated, and pervasive than she could've predicted—and what began as a clear to do list spiraled into an emotionally fraught and seemingly endless push and pull between signs of progress and overwhelming fear.

Despite her best efforts, Kuzmič had internalized a set of obligations, ideas, and unrealistic standards from parenting culture and social media that left her unprepared to guide her child when he needed her most. Featuring an urgent and affirming foreword by renowned and New York Times bestselling clinician Dr. Shefali Tsabary—Kuzmič's new book debunks ten "parenting truths” that kept her in crisis, and delves into her insecurities and the mistakes she made to reveal invaluable lessons and transformative approaches that worked.

While her family stands on the other side now stronger than ever, Kuzmič's journey calls to parents who have felt the instinct to say “I can fix this” in situations where good intentions far exceed our abilities to enact change.

©2024 Kristina Kuzmic (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"By offering us an in-depth account of her most vulnerable and maddening moments as a mother of a child in anguish, Kristina Kuzmič gives us a story as close to an emotional road map as possible."—Dr. Shefali Tsabary, New York Times bestselling author of The Parenting Map

"This book is so honest, reminding us that we are not alone in our parenthood journey, and that what our mind tells us is not always true. It is the perfect example of how showing up day after day, week after week, year after year is all the true love that our child needs. It won't be easy, and it will be far from perfect, but it will be real. Kristina and this book could not set a better example."—Dr. Neela Sethi, general pediatrics and adolescent medicine, teen mental health advocate

"The heart-wrenching and ultimately hope-filled journey of parenting a beloved child struggling with mental health and substance abuse. As a clinician and a mom, I so appreciated Kuzmič's extreme candor, humility, and empathy tackling a topic that is all too often kept in the shadows, leaving parents to suffer in silence. I encourage every parent, but especially those with kids who are struggling, to read I Can Fix This. You will find solace, understanding, and perspective that will not only help your family survive, but hopefully thrive as a result."—Dr. Laura Berman, New York Times bestselling author of Real Sex for Real Women and Talking to Your Kids About Sex

such a powerful and heartfelt book

such raw and honest emotions very well written and an honest perspective of the love of a mom and helping her struggling teen

speechless

You will never know how much this means to me in this moment in my life. I’m internally grateful thank you

Love story

I must agree that this is definitely a love story——an unconditional love story. I had to hold it together to keep from crying; Although, I must confess, I wasn’t very successful. This book hits too close to home. I honestly think all parents and/or caretakers need to read it.

Amazing, beautiful and so needed

This is amazing and such an insightful book. The perspective of your son and his bravery for sharing was inspiring. As a mom of a teenage boy, who has had some mental health struggles, and almost teenage girl, who sone times gets labeled the easy one, thank you for your words and the knowledge that I am not alone and ways I can do better for both.

Excellent story of a journey through unknown territory

What I loved about the story is she walked the listener through the ups and down that comes with walking with someone, who you love , that has a mental illness. There is no easy answer, no quick fix. Just real life. No 60 day online program. Just a day by day walk and what you learn and how you grow with each step everyday. Thanks for being vulnerable so we can see we are not alone in this journey. Great job!