Liz W.

Peer Parent

I live in Basking Ridge, NJ. I have been married for 27 years to my college sweetheart, Matt, and we have four children ranging in age from 17 to 22, (and a large Rhodesian Ridgeback). I love warm weather, sunshine, taking and teaching barre classes, and enjoying desert, mountain, or beach views. Two of my four children have struggled with mental health and substance abuse issues and have been to treatment for extended periods of time. I enjoy listening to and talking to parents who have kids that struggle so they feel supported and not so alone.

I became a peer parent because of the growth I have seen in my own life from attending parent support meeting over the last two years. I was in a very fragile state…physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually….two years ago when two of my children were struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues. I was barely making it through each day and I still had two other children to take care of and a husband who needed me. Attending parent support groups made me feel understood, gave me connection, and taught me about what and who I could control and work on: MYSELF! Struggles will come and go for the rest of our lives, but now I have the tools and support to face one day at a time, while I continue to work on and take care of myself.