
CAREGIVER STORIES
We hope parents and caregivers feel seen and supported in these stories of raising opioid-exposed children.
ESSAYS

Grief Is The Price We Pay For Love
So this morning on National Grief Awareness Day, I let myself sink into that pool of grief in my heart for just a little while. I carefully hung six padded panels above my son’s bed where he often slams his head into the wall when he is angry or refusing to nap. I am grieving that these panels need to be hung because I can’t stop him from hurting himself. I am grieving that he wants to hurt himself at all. I’m grieving the juxtaposition of these obnoxious panels next to the sweet, soft, tones of the custom art hanging above them - an illustration that I created and framed just for him a few days before he was born; a centerpiece to the gentle puppy-themed nursery I designed with every bit of love and anticipation in my heart. His experience of infancy and toddlerhood and my experience of early motherhood have been anything but gentle. But I believe that grief and joy can co-exist.

A Mother’s Story of Hope
My most important piece of advice- They are SO SPECIAL! Watch for the areas where THEY shine and don’t put too much focus on the areas they don’t. What will come, will come in time. What won’t come, won’t. Trust me when I say- it took me a LONG time to come to this point. We have in our mind what is “normal” and trying to cram these sweet babies into that box will only frustrate you and them. They have a gift- find it and celebrate it!


Johnny & Jackson
“Hey so I’m pregnant again and know you guys said you were done but do you want to take this baby?” Simultaneously my heart grew larger and my mind registered a truth; Larry will say no. I’m having another child. This baby will be mine. I know that. In an instant I am a mom of 4. It’s probably the same feeling a biological mother, hoping to be pregnant, feels when the test shows two lines. The energy suddenly surging through my body is contained in my drawn legs and clasped hands, open just far enough to hold the screen of the phone I’m reading.
We know your exhausting days. We've lived them. We know your heartache. We've felt it. We know your questions. We've asked them, too. We honor your unwavering commitment. We recognize your extraordinary strength. Your love is the lifeline for Generation O.
We’re giving caregivers a voice.
A mother of an opioid-exposed child shares her story of bringing her baby home from the NICU.
A story of struggle and hope from a mother raising an opioid-exposed son.
A caregiver describes what people get wrong about her opioid-exposed son.
A story of second chances, from a mother of a 15-year-old opioid-exposed child.
A mother reflects on four years raising her opioid-exposed son.
A long-time foster parent details her experiences bringing opioid-exposed babies home from hospitals.
A story of grief and love from a caregiver of an opioid-exposed son.