Today we’re tackling one of the most painful questions parents face when their child is struggling with substance use - "Should I kick them out?"

You’ll hear why this question is far more complicated than it’s often made out to be and why it deserves careful thought, not quick advice based on outdated, stigmatized ideas like "tough love" or "rock bottom."

In this episode, Heather shares:

• Why the words we use when making hard decisions affect how we feel and show up
• What factors to consider before asking your child to leave, including safety, emotional health, and recovery capital
• How to recognize when fear, guilt, or pressure might be influencing your choices
• What it looks like to thoughtfully create a transition if your child can’t safely stay at home
• Why honoring your own values and your child's right to self-determination leads to decisions you can live with

If you’ve ever felt trapped between two terrible options, letting chaos continue in your home or kicking your child out into the unknown, this episode will help you decide what’s best for you and your family.

Resources From Heather Ross Coaching

If you want answers and support to help you and your child Sign up for a 45-minute $17 Road to Recovery call with Heather using the link below.

https://heatherrosscoachingcalendar.as.me/RoadtoRecovery⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The truth about enabling - If you've ever worried about enabling, this guide is for you!

https://heatherrosscoaching.com/perspective-about-enabling/

For years, I lived with my peace tied directly to my daughter Helanna’s addiction. When she struggled, I felt powerless, sick, exhausted, and consumed by fear. But everything began to shift when I realized that peace isn’t something that can be stolen—it’s something we either protect or give away.

Even in the most heartbreaking moments, I discovered that I still had agency over how I related to my emotions. That realization didn’t erase the pain, but it gave me something solid to stand on. And I want that for you, too.

We’ll talk about:

•How to stop bracing for impact and start standing in your power

•The “yes for a no” strategy that filled my needs as a mom

•What emotional intelligence really means in parenting through addiction

•How staying grounded gives your child the best possible chance at change

Peace of Mind Group Scholarship Opportunity

Email the answers to the 5 questions below to heather@heatherrosscoaching.com by the end of the day April 14th, 2025.

1. Why do you want to be part of the Peace of Mind Group Coaching Program for Mothers?

2. What would it mean to you, personally, to find peace of mind and joy in the midst of your child’s struggle?

3. How do you currently cope with the stress and fear that come with your child’s substance use?

4. What do you most want to feel or believe about yourself as a parent by the end of this program?

5. Is financial support the missing piece that would allow you to say yes to getting the help you want?

Resources From Heather Ross Coaching

If you want answers and support to help you and your child Sign up for a 45-minute $17 Road to Recovery call with Heather using the link below.

https://heatherrosscoachingcalendar.as.me/RoadtoRecovery⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The truth about enabling - If you've ever worried about enabling, this guide is for you!

https://heatherrosscoaching.com/perspective-about-enabling/

There is a crucial difference between pity and compassion—and this distinction can deeply impact your relationship with your child. When we pity our kids, we see them as helpless victims, stripping them of their agency and reinforcing our own feelings of hopelessness.

But compassion is different—it sees their struggles without defining them by them, offering support in a way that preserves dignity and connection.

Heather shares personal experiences that have shown her the stark contrast between pity and compassion. We’ll also explore how parents often unknowingly judge their child’s struggles, assuming they are solely a result of poor choices while overlooking the massive role of other factors.

If you’ve ever thought, “I would never end up in that situation,” this episode will challenge that belief and help you shift from judgment to true understanding.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How pity and compassion create completely different dynamics in your relationship with your child

• Why pity makes your child feel disconnected, unseen, and incapable of change

• How compassion fosters trust, safety, and a stronger bond

• 7 simple ways to shift from pity to compassion in your daily interactions

Plus, don’t miss my free Boundaries That Create Connection Masterclass on Tuesday, March 25th—where I’ll teach you how to set boundaries that actually strengthen your relationship rather than pushing your child away. Sign up using the link below!

https://heatherrosscoaching.com/boundaries-that-create-connection-masterclass/

If you found this episode helpful, please leave a 5-star review—your feedback helps other parents find the support they need.

Resources From Heather Ross Coaching

If you want answers and support to help you and your child Sign up for a 45-minute $17 Road to Recovery call with Heather using the link below.

https://heatherrosscoachingcalendar.as.me/RoadtoRecovery⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The truth about enabling - If you've ever worried about enabling, this guide is for you!

https://heatherrosscoaching.com/perspective-about-enabling/