Wine Country Times

Finding a fresh start in life after escaping abuse, violence or substance addiction is challenging enough, and adults seeking reprieve from those traumas may see their progress slowed or stopped by relapse, conviction or lack of resources for rehabilitation. 

For mothers, those challenges are tenfold as children become involved. That is why Women's Recovery Services (WRS) believes it is important for the children of recovering mothers to be kept nearby, providing them with necessary care, education and support.

Founded in 1975 in Santa Rosa, Women's Recovery Services helps women who are struggling with addiction find recovery. It also provides services to women dealing with abuse, violence, trauma and parenting difficulties.

"The residential treatment program at WRS provides a safe and secure environment for mothers living with drug and alcohol addiction—often pregnant—and their babies and children to live together during their recovery," Holly Pace, a parent educator at WRS, told Wine Country Times. "Mothers attend classes while babies and children are in our children's program where they can learn, grow and thrive in an educational and fun setting with an experienced childcare provider."

Pace, who has been educating mothers in recovery in Sonoma County for 20 years, said a structured and predictable setting helps children that have experienced months or years of chaos and neglect in their homes feel safe and secure. 

A longtime member of the WRS team, Pace understands the challenges as well as the prolonged abuse or neglect that children face when the adults in their homes struggle with active addiction. 

"The parenting classes teach mothers how to use effective and loving strategies to improve their relationships with their children," she said.

Pace works closely with the WRS children's program director, Elodia Lopez. Together they help mothers in recovery and assist their children rebuild the foundation of a healthy relationship. 

"Topics [at the parenting classes] include positive discipline, family meetings, resiliency, the effects of domestic violence on the developing brain, child development, age appropriate activities, bonding, attachment and self care," Pace said. "[Mothers] also learn that they are their child's first teacher and most importantly that discipline means teaching, not punishment."

Pace has a master's degree in early childhood education and is trained in the positive parenting program (known as Triple P) created by Dr. Matt Sanders. She has taught weekly parenting classes at WRS for the past five and a half years.