Heather Ross
Heather Ross
EP124 Making Hard Choices with Clarity and Confidence
EP124 Making Hard Choices with Clarity and Confidence
EP124 Making Hard Choices with Clarity and Confidence
Tuesday 26th August 2025
Heather Ross shares how recognising choices can transform feelings of helplessness into control when parenting a child with addiction.
24 minutes
Supportive
Informative
Hopeful
Compassionate
Encouraging
About this podcast
Author:
Heather Ross
Overview:
Categories:
Family Recovery from Addiction
Sobriety Toolkit
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Navigating Intimate Relationships
Recovery from Trauma
Links:
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Episodes:
130 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Finding Strength in Tough Decisions: A Parent's Guide
Episode Overview
- Recognising choices can shift feelings from powerless to purposeful.
- Choice stacking helps build decision-making confidence.
- Clarity often follows decisions rather than precedes them.
- Owning decisions can reduce feelings of resentment.
- Focus on values when making tough choices.
"You always have a choice even if your options suck and you don't like them."
Heather Ross tackles the daunting world of parenting a child with substance use issues in this episode titled 'Making Hard Choices with Clarity and Confidence'. If you’ve ever felt trapped by the options available to you, Heather is here to offer a fresh perspective. She dives into the idea that even when choices seem bleak, recognising them can transform feelings of helplessness into a sense of control.
Heather shares her personal journey with her daughter Helanna’s addiction, illustrating how acknowledging choices—even if they’re tough—can shift your mindset from powerless to purposeful. Throughout the episode, Heather encourages parents to own their decisions, no matter how challenging they may be. She talks about the concept of 'choice stacking', likening it to habit stacking, where each decision made throughout the day builds a chain of intentional actions.
This approach helps parents see themselves as active participants in their lives rather than passive victims of circumstance. Heather also addresses the common pitfall of waiting for certainty before making decisions. She emphasises that clarity often comes after decisions are made, not before, and urges parents to have their own back—acknowledging that they did their best with the information available at the time.
The episode is peppered with anecdotes and metaphors that make complex ideas accessible, like comparing decision-making to choosing between cake and calories. Heather’s humour and empathy shine through, making this conversation not just informative but deeply supportive. If you're seeking a way to regain control and peace of mind amidst the chaos of your child's addiction, Heather's insights might just offer the clarity you need. Are you ready to explore how your choices can redefine your experience?