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Tending Dandelions

Honest Meditations for Mothers with Addicted Children

Part of Just Dandy
Published by Hazelden Publishing
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

Mothers of addicted and alcoholic children share a deep connection—one that is rarely understood by anyone who hasn’t experienced a similar path. Sharing our perspectives helps us all grow stronger, together.

“We all need to take a closer look at the things we’ve avoided—the things lurking around in this place where love and addiction meet—so we’re as strong as we can be.”

—Sandra Swenson, author of Tending Dandelions

In the shadows of our child’s struggles with addiction, we find ourselves tending to a life for which we weren’t prepared.

These meditations continue the tradition of Hazelden’s beloved meditation books by providing moments of recognition, confession, and healing for those who are realizing that recovery rarely follows a neat or comfortable path. Along the way, we plant beautiful roses only to be injured by their thorns, and we pull up unwanted dandelions that, at times, are our only source of wishes.

By sharing the realities we never expected our families to face, mothers of addicted children support each other through experiences that can only be feared and imagined by others. From our shared struggles emerge opportunities for personal growth. Tending Dandelions is a vital source of wisdom, support, and strength that helps us begin our own journey of recovery.

About The Author

Sandra Swenson is the mother of two sons—one of whom struggles with addiction. Author of The Joey Song: A Mother’s Story of Her Son’s Addiction, Tending Dandelions: Honest Meditations for Mothers with Addicted Children, and Readings for Moms of Addicts app, Sandra lives in the place where love and addiction meet—a place where help enables and hope hurts. Sandra is a voice for parents of children suffering with the disease of addiction, putting their thoughts and feeling into words. Her latest project is MomPower.org, an easy-to-navigate hub connecting moms who have children with addictions to a world of help, hope, perspective, sanity, and empowerment. Sandra lives in suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota. When she isn’t writing or traveling to speak with other parents coping with the disease of addiction in their family, Sandra enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Hazelden Publishing (September 5, 2017)
  • Length: 250 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781616497217

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Raves and Reviews

Sandra Swenson has delicately and intentionally provided a wonderful new resource for an often-overlooked population impacted by addiction—mothers. Addiction ravages families and is one of the most complicated illnesses to navigate for a parent. This set of meditations is poised to support those affected by a loved one’s addiction in powerful and meaningful ways.

– Greg Williams, co-founder of Facing Addiction

With wisdom and insights born from personal heartache, experience, and a lot of love, this treasure is a goldmine of hope, coping tips, and wit like no other. Mothers and family members of an addict will discover they are NOT alone and, no matter the choices their loved one makes, there is a way to continue to live and love deeply. . . from afar.

Sandra writes, “In letting go of you, I’m letting you know that I believe in you. Like a hug, I let go believing that you will find your way back.”

– Judy Herzanek, coauthor of Why Don’t They Just Quit? Hope for Families Struggling with Addiction

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More books from this author: Sandra Swenson