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Spring 2010 | Vol 13 No 3

Review

Kirstin Bindseil

“Why did mommy go?” When a parent goes away for addiction treatment

Mommy’s Gone to Treatment and Mommy’s Coming Home from Treatment are illustrated children’s books that explore from a child’s perspective the family challenges of coping with a parent going into residential addiction treatment. The first book chronicles the experience of Janey, a pre-teen who is not sure how to interact with her family when her mother goes away for treatment. Janey’s father is responsible for explaining that mommy has a disease called addiction, where she sometimes finds it hard to get out of bed or gets very angry with Janey. The book chronicles Janey’s interactions with her father and grandmother and her weekly visits to her mother at the treatment centre. Janey is an observant girl who notices that her family is acting differently. She asks a lot of questions that ultimately help her to understand why her mother is in treatment.

In Mommy’s Coming Home from Treatment, Janey wakes up one day fantasizing about how things will be better when her mother returns home. However, Janey’s dream is not quite realized when her mother returns. The book explores Janey’s talks with her family as she begins to understand that things are going to be a little different at home (e.g., mommy has to attend an evening group); however, Janey is assured that things will be better for her mother and the family.

The books, written for 4- to 8-year-olds, explore various aspects of children’s fears of what it means for a parent to have an addiction. The story highlights important discussions that should occur, given how children can internalize the family’s confusion. At the end of each book are suggestions for how parents can talk to their children about addiction treatment, including excellent tips, such as focusing on the positive and using simple, honest language. The illustrations depict a wide and realistic range of emotions and actions.

However, the books focus on the disease model, rather than exploring other theoretical frameworks that have arguably been better validated in the addiction literature. Given that not all professionals can agree on one approach to addiction treatment, the idea that one model or concept is shared with a child who appears innocent and impressionable is worrisome. Also, although Janey was given accurate and simple information about her mother, it was curious how Janey woke up to the surprise of her mother missing. I would encourage families to discuss the plan of treatment with their children so they can prepare for the event and ask questions.

It is important to publish literature that helps children understand the complexities of what it means when a family member has an addiction or mental health concern. However, it is challenging to find a balance of the right message because of the many theories and debated causes of addiction. Crosson has made a valiant effort in attempting to approach this topic. However, I would encourage readers to consider the story of Janey to be one circumstance, for one family, that has its own cultural beliefs, and that there are other perspectives to consider in understanding addiction.

Mommy’s Gone to Treatment and Mommy’s Coming Home from Treatment. Denise Crosson. Central Recovery Press, Las Vegas, 2008, 44 pp. each, $14.95US, each.

Kirstin Bindseil is an advanced practice clinician in the Addiction Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.