Palliative ParentingTM: A New Approach to Parenting Success

We know how challenging it can be to parent a child or teen with a mental health condition.

Our unique approach was developed by CMHRC mental health professionals, parents, and adults with lived experience. All of us know firsthand how to survive and thrive with mental illness.

The Three Pillars of
Palliative ParentingTM:

Self-guided, on-demand, video courses; small group face-to-face classes; and private parenting support are available.

Palliative Parenting Shop

Acceptance

We accept that:

  1. Our children have an illness. 
  2. We parent differently because their needs are different.
  3. We let go of our preconceived expectations for our children. 
  4. We can’t protect our children from the pain of their illness, but we can make their daily lives better. 
  5. When we make mistakes, we forgive ourselves. 

Respect

  1. Our children are human beings
    first, with their own journeys.
  2. Our children’s symptoms are not willful or deliberate behaviors.
  3. We respond to our children’s symptoms with empathy and compassion.
  4. We model and teach self care.
  5. We strive for the highest possible quality of life for our kids.

Community

  1. Our children make positive contributions to the world.
  2. We advocate for awareness, acceptance, and accommodation.
  3. We are honest about our, and our children’s, strengths and weaknesses.
  4. We facilitate collaboration among our children’s support systems.
  5. We share strength, knowledge, and hope within our community.

Parent Testimonials

“It’s such a relief to finally shed the expectations of others and be the parent my child needs instead of the parent everyone else wants me to be.”
Lynn, Florida
“Palliative ParentingTM: helps me to be the parent my child needs to minimize their emotional pain and to live up to their capabilities.”
Anne, New York
“It’s so simple! It can just be about doing what’s needed for your child in the moment, rather than what any outside expectations are.”
Lisa, Minnesota

“Many parents spend their whole parenting lives trying to fit themselves and their children into the expectations of others. Palliative ParentingTM empowers parents to let that go and to do what their child needs in the moment.”

– Elizabeth Errico, CMHRC Executive Director and Palliative ParentingTM co-creator

“We realize that regardless of where we are, or what we’re making a decision about (medical, school, discipline, friends, activities, family life), we’re making decisions about quality of life.”

– Jennifer Sevick, CMHRC Clinical Director and Palliative ParentingTM co-creator