Recovery Strong Parenting: Why Connection Beats Fear
Episode 2 in our series of How to Talk to Kids About Addition.

For decades, we've been told the way to protect our kids is to scare them. I don't think that has worked the way we hoped.

In this episode, I'm sharing what I've learned as a mom, a social worker, and someone in recovery about building the kind of trust that makes hard conversations possible before you need them.

In this episode:

• The one thing I got completely wrong the day my daughter told me something hard
• Why knowing better has never been the problem, for our kids or for us
• The myth about talking to kids about addiction that research flat out disproves
• A question I ask my kids all the time that opens more doors than any lecture
• The small morning routine we started that changed how our whole day goes

If this one encourages you, will you share it with someone who needs it?

🆓 Free guide: Recovery Strong Parenting (5 practical tips)
📖 Grab the book: When You Love Someone in Recovery

Caroline Beidler, MSW, is an author, speaker, and Managing Editor of Recovery.com, where she combines expert guidance with research to help people find the best path to healing and treatment. Her book, When You Love Someone in Recovery: A Hopeful Guide for Understanding Addiction, was released Spring 2026 with Nelson Books. Drawing from her own recovery journey through addiction, mental health challenges, and trauma, along with training as a clinical mental health provider and addiction recovery expert, Caroline is passionate about guiding you into seasons of greater healing. Learn more about her books here.

Subscribe to her Circle of Chairs Substack community at carolinebeidler.substack.com