What I Teach My Kids (and Myself) about Starting Fresh!
As a mom in recovery, I’ve had to answer some hard questions. Not just from my kids, but from myself.
“Can I really do this?”
“Will my kids be okay?”
“What kind of example am I setting?”
What I’ve learned through both sobriety and cognitive behavioral therapy is this:
Thoughts are powerful…..but they aren’t always true.
Here’s what I remind my kids (and myself) when life feels heavy:
1. Starting over isn’t failure. It’s wisdom in action.
Whether it’s leaving a relationship, walking away from alcohol, or changing your mind, beginning again means you’re brave enough to grow.
2. Your feelings are valid—but not permanent.
CBT teaches us that thoughts create feelings. Feelings create behaviors. And all three can be reshaped. You’re allowed to feel overwhelmed and you’re capable of moving through it.
3. You are the leader of your story.
Not your past. Not your pain. You. That’s what I’m teaching my kids. That’s what I’m living myself. That’s what I want to help other women realize too.
