Ruth is an alcoholic mother of two young children, currently living in an emergency shelter while she awaits a housing subsidy. Her aunt who raised her after she was abandoned by her parents was distant and emotionally unavailable. Years later, when Ruth first met with our IHR Parenting Specialist, she was anxious, angry and unaware of ways to nurture her children. When her infant son cried to be picked up out of his crib, from across the room, Ruth yelled, "I know what you want, and you're not getting it."

Moments later, Ruth tearfully revealed the fear that her infant child might fall to the floor if she took him out of his crib. She said she would have blamed herself if an accident involving her children occurred. Ruth needed nurturing, validation and emotional support. Our Parenting Specialist took this first opportunity to encourage Ruth to learn and acknowledge positive behaviors in herself and her children.

IHR helped Ruth learn how to nurture her children and to overcome obstacles to getting treatment for her own substance abuse issues. Ruth is now able to attend the shelter's IHR parenting group for mothers with substance abuse, mental health and trauma disorders.

While Ruth still struggles to parent her children, IHR's intervention into Ruth's life helped her address her fears and begin to learn positive ways of parenting. Ruth is beginning to develop patience and to appreciate herself and her children. As she practiced breathing with our Parenting Specialist today, Ruth laughed and asked her IHR friend to come back to continue this valuable lesson in hope, relaxation and resiliency.