Brenda Zane
Brenda Zane
Don’t Get Distracted: Focus on The Right Things When Your Child Is Struggling with Substances, with Cathy Cioth
Don’t Get Distracted: Focus on The Right Things When Your Child Is Struggling with Substances, with Cathy Cioth
Don’t Get Distracted: Focus on The Right Things When Your Child Is Struggling with Substances, with Cathy Cioth
Thursday 27th November 2025
Discover how gentler approaches can aid in parenting kids through substance struggles. Gain insights from Brenda Zane and Cathy Cioth.
35 minutes
Inspiring
Compassionate
Encouraging
Supportive
Healing
About this podcast
Author:
Brenda Zane
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Family Recovery from Addiction
Navigating Challenges in Recovery
Navigating Intimate Relationships
Recovery from Trauma
Links:
Visit site
Episodes:
302 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Gentle Approaches: Parenting Through Substance Struggles
Episode Overview
- Approach children's substance use with compassion, not aggression.
- Recognise distress signals as opportunities for connection.
- Focus on root causes rather than getting lost in details.
- Take a 'balcony view' to see the bigger picture.
- Embrace uncomfortable truths for healing.
"I wish I had done that, because I think that would have helped to say, okay, how can I approach this in a more compassionate way?"
Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? Brenda Zane's podcast episode with Cathy Cioth offers a refreshing perspective on parenting through the tumultuous waters of substance use. Instead of confronting your child's addiction head-on, Brenda and Cathy suggest a gentler approach, akin to Rocky Kanaka's method of sitting quietly with shelter dogs, offering treats and affirmations.
This episode underscores the importance of understanding your child's struggles without aggression or judgement, and how this might be the key to reconnecting with them. Cathy shares insights from her own experiences, revealing how she wished she had approached her child's signals of distress with compassion rather than frustration. The conversation is peppered with anecdotes, including a humorous digression about Cathy's dog's tummy troubles, reminding us that love and patience are vital in all relationships, furry or human.
This episode is a beacon for parents seeking to understand their role in their child's recovery journey, urging them to focus on the root causes rather than getting lost in the details. You'll find encouragement to take a 'balcony view' of the situation, stepping back to see the bigger picture, and embracing uncomfortable truths to foster healing. So, if you're looking for practical strategies to support your child through their struggles, this episode is a must-listen.
Are you ready to change your perspective and approach your child's recovery journey with empathy?