My guest today is Rowan O’Roarty.

Rowan is my oldest child, she will be 18 in January, and one of my biggest teachers of personal growth. As we all do, we learn who we are as parents, through our relationships with our children. Rowan made me a mom, and continues to influence who I am in the world as I navigate what it means to mother her.

Rowan has been through her own journey of personal discovery over the past few years, maneuvering mental health challenges, dropping out of school, completing her GED, and stepping in to big responsibility while her dad and I were gone for 2 months going through my husband's cancer treatment.

I am honored that she is willing to come share herself and her journey so candidly with you all today.

Takeaways from the show:

• Where the anxiety started
• When Rowan became aware of her anxiety
• Things we did that helped Rowan cope with depression and anxiety
• Panic attacks 
• Navigating anxiety attacks and how parents can be supportive
• What depression feels like
• Things parents can do that are helpful to their teen’s mental health
• Dialectical behavioral therapy
• Realizing only YOU can change your experience
• What Rowan has learned about herself these past few years
• Mental health and high school
• Rowan’s freshman year
• Opting into online school
• Dropping out of school and gaining parent’s support
• The GED test
• Plans for the future

For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.

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