When I first came to Main Street Family Services, I was struggling to believe in myself as a mother. I had been labeled so many things — an addict, an alcoholic — and I had forgotten that I was, first and foremost, a mom. Main Street helped me remember that truth. They reminded me that I hadn’t lost all the pieces of my life — they just weren’t fitting together yet. Through their encouragement, I found the energy and will to start putting that puzzle back together.
Through Parent Education with Julie, I learned about the Circle of Security, which completely changed how I see parenting. I realized that I wasn’t always holding the “hand on the circle” for my daughter— I was expecting her to figure things out on her own. Now, I pay closer attention to what she needs, what she’s exploring, and I make sure she knows: I am here.
Even though I had been a great mom to my older kids, I had lost confidence in myself. Drugs and alcohol melted parts of my brain, and I needed to relearn things. Parent education gave me the tools and the encouragement to do just that — to find my strengths again and to see that I was already doing so many things right.
When I relapsed and my daugther went into out-of-home placement, Main Street didn’t give up on us. Julie met with me every week and helped me keep our connection alive through shared meals and visits. She was always available, always believed in me, and helped me rebuild my relationship with my daughter. With her support — and the county’s — I was able to regain custody of my daughter.
Now, both my daughter and I receive therapy at Main Street. my daughter’s therapist has been amazing. Through play therapy she has learned what love and trust truly mean. She’s become more affectionate, more open, and more confident. Before therapy, we felt distant, but now we’re closer than ever.
I’ve learned to keep healthy boundaries, to stay strong, and to stay sober — not drinking away my troubles, but facing them. My daughter gives me purpose. The people at Main Street Family Services have helped me find resiliency and hope again.
Parenting a child with mental health struggles can feel like a dance — one step forward, one step back — but I’ve learned that’s okay. What matters is that we keep moving together.
Today, we are in a better place. We laugh more, we trust more, and we continue to grow together. Main Street Family Services didn’t just help us heal — they helped us flourish.