TreatmentTalk

I’d like to introduce you to Betsy Henry, author, friend and fellow blogger.

1.Please introduce yourself to the readers.

I am Betsy Henry, author of How To Be A Zen Mama, Zen Mama’s Book of Quotes and The Zen Mama’s Blog. I’m a preschool teacher during the day and write as my alter ego at the Zen Mama’s Blog at night. I’m very happily married to John, the Zen Papa, who is a big part of my work as many of the posts I write began as a conversation first.

I am a mother to three boys who are now 21, 18 and 14. It has been a fun, crazy, adventurous learning experience being a mother.

Betsy Henry

2. Tell us about HOW TO BE A ZEN MAMA? Why were you motivated to write this book?

My husband and I had just finished a challenging year with two of our three children; grades had fallen and limits were being tested. The teenage years are not easy, as anyone with even one teenage child will tell you. Being a positive and optimistic person, I tried to find the lessons in all of our experiences and understand where we had made mistakes.

I couldn’t continue to be the angry person I’d become over the summer and the new school year. I was a frantic, nagging mother worried about my kids in this modern world with text messaging and Facebook and our demanding culture that wants them to be volunteers, super athletes and ivy league students.

Yet, at my job as a preschool teacher, I felt more Zen-like, giving out pearls of wisdom to those overly concerned parents of my 3-5 year old kids. I decided at that point that I had my own life to live and needed to let my children live their lives. If I let go, maybe we’d all be happier. I decided to combine the two ideas: the frantic mother and the Zen like teacher, and become one, become a “Zen Mama”.

The book flowed once I got started. I was up a lot at night worrying so I opened up 13 word processing files for chapters on my computer. Each night I was up, I would write advice to myself in one or more of the chapters. It’s meant to be a short book and easy to read. Even the busiest mother/parent has time to read it.

3.Tell us about your book Zen Mama’s Book of Quotes. Why did you write it?

I’ve always loved quotes. My first quote book was given to me by my aunt in 5th grade. I find quotes to be like poetry.

Reading a positive quote can change my whole day. Over the last few years I’ve been collecting quotes on my computer for other possible books, my blog posts and the daily quote I put on my facebook page. I was asked by some family members for the quotes and I suddenly realized there was enough for a book.

I loved putting this together in 5 categories Letting Go, Practicing, Discovering Yourself, Embracing Life and Following Your Path. I added some of my photography and voila, the book was born.

4.What is the focus of your website Zen Mama and why did you start it? How can becoming a zen mama help parents who are struggling with their teens?

My focus is to help parents to stop worrying, let go and get closer to your kids. How do you become closer to your kids? When you’re not worrying that their life is a mess, you stop criticizing and being mad at them. Slowly they feel that you’re trusting them more and they open up and want to be around you.

Teens are often rebels, looking for a reaction and sometimes negative attention. Some parts of being a Zen Mama mean talking in a more positive way, accepting them for who they are and trying to enjoy their interests. I really recommend humor.

In the book and on my website I write about ideas on how to do this. We are having a much easier time with 3rd child as a teenager because we incorporated all the Zen Mama principles into our life.

Does being a Zen Mama mean that I’ve let go of our responsibilities as parents? That anything goes? No, that is the misconception sometimes. It mainly means that I’ve changed myself and my reactions to just about everything.

5. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I have so many interests… reading, watching movies, hiking, cooking, walking, and gardening. Having a great conversation over coffee or a glass of wine is also one of my favorite things to do. I’m in middle of writing two Zen Mama books, plus I’m working on a children’s book with the rest of the family. I am never bored!!

How do you think letting go would improve your life? Do you love quotes? Please leave your favorite quote in comments. I would love to connect with you on twitter and Facebook.

Interview with Sheryl McGinnis, author of The Addiction Monster and the Square Cat

1. Please introduce yourself to the readers who don’t know you.

My name is Sheryl Letzgus McGinnis and I’m the author of 4 books on drugs and addiction.

2. What inspired you to become an author of books on addiction? Have your written books in other genres?

It was the 14 year struggle with drugs and the ultimate death of our 31-year-old son who was a paramedic and an RN that compelled me to write so prolifically about this disease. I wanted others to know that addiction can happen to the brightest and best of kids and in the best of families.

Good kids do drugs too.

I wrote an entirely different type of book called “Romance Chocolates,” which was a total and much needed departure from my books on drugs and addiction.

3. Tell us about your books on addiction.

“The Addiction Monster and the Square Cat” is a book for ages 10 and up. Many adults have read it also either with their children, to their children or just for their own pleasure.

My other books are for a more mature readership (early teens and on up to grandparents) so I decided to write something about drugs that would get the attention of the younger set and as we all know, kids love animals and stories that involve animals. This book remained on Amazon’s Best Sellers List in Substance Abuse for two years. It eventually fell off the list and as of last week was back on it again which pleases me because I am passionate about trying to reach the younger kids. My philosophy is that it is never too early to talk to kids about drugs but it can be too late!

My first book, “I Am Your Disease (The Many Faces of Addiction,”) was written four years after my son passed away. I knew I wanted to write a book on this subject but it took me time to be able to write it – the pain was still so raw. I was also gathering stories from other bereaved parents and it took them time to put their thoughts into words too.

About 2 years later I followed this book up with “Slaying the Addiction Monster (An All-inclusive Look at Drug Addiction in America Today.”) This book included chapters by professionals in the field including MDs, Ph.Ds, a Florida State Representative and other professionals knowledgeable about addiction.

After the success of these two books I decided to try to reach the younger audience, to try to “nip it in the bud,” to get their attention while they’re still impressionable and don’t “know it all” as so many teens think they do.

My latest book is “Addiction Collateral Damage” and shows how addiction affects other people in addition to the addicted person. It isn’t on my website yet but is available on Amazon.com.

4. At this point, what would you say to parents who are just becoming aware of their teen or adult child’s substance abuse?

The main point that I would like to stress to parents who have just discovered their child’s drug use/and or addiction is to take a deep breath, give yourself time to absorb what this means. Don’t fly off the handle making threats that you most likely won’t be able to follow through with.

Educate yourself about addiction. Learn what the latest techniques are for treating this brain disease. Understand that addiction is a legitimate brain disease. Don’t torture yourself with the what ifs and why didn’t I’s. You are not to blame for your child’s addiction. You can’t cure cancer so don’t torture yourself by thinking that you can cure addiction.

Take steps immediately upon your discovery to get your child help. You are now in a battle, the battle to save your child from impending doom and/or death. This is not just a passing phase. The drug use can be a door opening into a world of horror. Notice I said “can” be. Not all children who do drugs will end up at hell’s door, but you certainly don’t want to take a chance. My husband and I did everything we could to raise two healthy drug-free boys. Our oldest never succumbed to the temptation. Our youngest did and we’re certain it’s because he had the addiction gene and there are many addiction genes.

I’m trying to speak at schools but so far I’ve been met with resistance, being told that parents don’t want drug information in the schools. But I will persevere in this regard. This is too important to quit.

5. What do you like to do when you are not writing books?

When I’m not writing, I’m playing with our two spoiled rotten cats or enjoying our garden and studying French again. But … the draw to write is always there along with the hope that if I write just one more thing, maybe one more family can be spared what we went through.

Above all, remember you are not alone and always let your child know that while you may hate the drugs and/or addiction, you love them!

If you enjoyed this post, consider a free email subscription and receive my ebook, “Embrace the New Life.”Connect with me on twitter or on Facebook. Do you have a story of addiction or substance abuse? Join the discussion and let us know in comments.

Is your teen struggling with teen substance abuse? The Parents Toll-Free Helpline is 1-855-DRUGFREE.