3 things I could have done differently

 

Whilst my son was addicted to drugs and through his rebab process there are a few things I wish I had done differently.

 

Instead of hiding away from the shame of my sons addiction I wish I had told more people around me what was going on in our lives and not struggled on by ourselves clueless to what we should and shouldn't  have been doing.

I thought it would just be a faze and it would all just go away in time. Oh, I couldn't have been more wrong.

Asking for help is sometimes really hard as it makes us vulnerable but in the end it will benefit everyone.

 

I didn't take time out for myself as I was so worried that if I actually stopped  and focused on anything other than my son that everything would come crashing down around me.

This put a huge strain on my family relationships and my health.

Take time out for yourself to refresh and refocus even if it just for a few short hours to relax in a bath or have coffee with a good friend.

 

I should of spoken more openly about my concerns to my son about his drug addiction earlier on when I first suspected it and also made my feelings known to his mates.

A mums gut instinct it usually correct and instead of thinking about it I should of acted on that feeling.

 

If you have any concerns speak up early and let your child know that you will be seeking advice on how to handle the situation.

 

Yes I could have done things differently but I do not dwell on the past I did what I could with the information I had.

Be awesome

Cheryl Campbell

28th Aug 2015

 

 

A MOTHER'S LOVE

Today is my son's 23rd birthday .
That may not sound too exciting for some but for us we are over the moon as just over a year ago we were concerned that if he continued on his destructive journey of drug abuse he would not make his next birthday.
This is the first time in approx. 5 years our son looks "normal" on the day of his birthday and I do not need to be concerned at all about where he is, what he is doing and if he is actually alive.
In fact I think it may be the first time he has actually gone to work on his birthday. This year has been an accumulation of milestones.
He has a job, girlfriend, his first car, looks so healthy, snappy dresser , he has grown mentally by about 5 years and we will be celebrating his birthday as a family and he will be there.

I am bursting with pride today at my son's achievements over the last year and how he has jumped all the hurdles and turned his life around. He has barely complained about all the changes he has had to make or the processes we have had to put in place.

Yes, today I am crying but these are tears of joy.
Be awesome
Cheryl x

4th Sept 2015

 

 

 

                                                                                     WHO WOULD TAKE MY PLACE?

 

I wrote my book not only to inspire mums who have a child with a drug addiction but too inspire mums who are struggling under the everyday strain of being a mum.
Having worked as an aide supporting children with disabilities in a school for 25 years I would see the struggle these mums were having on a daily basis.
There were two types of mums I would see the one like me that put on their m...akeup and wore it as a mask to hide from the world that they were not coping . Then there was the mum who looked like she hadn't had time to brush her hair and had thrown on a tracksuit and if I looked at her she would burst into tears.

Being a mum is a very demanding job that at times we do not think we can muster enough strength to go on another day. During my days when I was at my lowest and thought I would throw in the towel as it was all too hard I would lie in bed exhausted and ask myself if I don't do it who would take my place.
Who would take my place ? The answer was no one. I am his mum and no one knows him like I do and know no one could care for him like I do and no one could calm him down like I could and no one knew how to read his body language like I could and no one loved him like I did.

So each morning I got out of bed and faced whatever the day threw at me and kept telling myself that God had given me this precious child for a reason and He knew I would cope. We never know at the time what the reason is but as long as we are doing the very best we can with the information we've got we are heading in the right direction.

The only advice I can give if you are struggling is ask for help. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness it is a sign of strength.
Something I wish I had done many years ago instead of hiding behind my makeup mask.

Who would I let take my place ? - NO ONE

Be awesome
Cheryl

MAR 2016
www.youinspireme.com.au