It Takes a Village
The Heart of a Child: Growing Up in a Distracted Family
Children growing up in families distracted by alcoholism, drug addiction, mental health issues and/or physical illness are likely to experience a variety of emotional, physical and social problems. Help is available.
It is no coincidence that both National Children of Alcoholics Week and Valentine's Day fall within the same time period this year. Both address issues of the heart and expectations with regard to attention from a loved one. The big difference is that Children of Alcoholics Week isn't a Hallmark holiday. You won't see colorful greeting cards, delicious chocolates, or long-stemmed roses being advertised to celebrate the event. Growing up in an alcoholic or addicted family is not an occasion for joy. Both Children and Adults Children raised in such families often have low self-esteem, physical and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, difficulty learning in school and/or lack of parental permission to form healthy …
Laurie Comstock
5:39 pm on Tuesday, February 8, 2011
This is a really good article about the love that children need. Calling it "distracted families" is better than children of alcoholics. It is less stigma calling it that. I was fortunate not to have this problem with alcohol. more ›