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Hold on Tight: A Parent’s Journey Raising Children with Mental Illness Hardcover – March 2, 2023

4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 32 ratings

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Winner of a Mom's Choice Awards Gold Medal, Jan Stewart describes her raw and emotional journey raising two children with multiple mental health disorders. It's a roller coaster of emotions, from the time they were born to the present as young adults in their 30s. Pulling no punches, Jan describes moments of terrifying fear, pain, and hopelessness, as well as of awe, pride, and hope. While brutally honest, Hold on Tight is a love song to Jan’ s children. The book educates and empowers parents so that both they and their children can lead more fulfilling lives. Her compelling parental advice includes: • Trust your gut. • Persevere in identifying the right professionals, diagnoses, and treatments. • Insist on an integrated partnership approach with all those involved in each child’ s care. *And never give up.

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From the Publisher

Hold on Tight
Hold on Tight
Hold on Tight

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This brisk and honest account through a mother’s eyes of her two children, from infancy to adulthood, is a powerful story of struggle, uncertainty, determination, hope, and triumph. It demonstrates the need for both formal and informal supports – in healthcare, schools, workplaces, and the community – with the knowledge and instincts to help. It tells how two young people managed to find their place in the world and how their parents learned to celebrate it. And it provides a distillation of what was needed for the journey.” —David S. Goldbloom, OC, MD, FRCPC, Senior Medical Advisor, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Toronto

 “Jan Stewart has capably filled the void in the literature by describing the roller-coaster lives of a family raising and living with two children with mental illness.  It is an honest and insightful account that will inform families going through such challenges. This book will be of great interest to all who care about this critical issue.”  —Paul Garfinkel, O.C., M.D., FRCP, FRSC, inaugural Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

  “A devoted mother describes the daily challenges, successes and milestone events she and her husband experienced raising two children with mental health disorders from infancy to adulthood.  Every page is filled with remarkable insight, wisdom and indescribable love.”  —Susan VanDeVelde-Coke, President and Chief Executive Officer, Kerry’s Place Autism Services

“This book is a must-read for any family struggling to support their complex children or for those who know such a family. Through awareness comes compassion and a more inclusive world.”  —Amanda Matejicek, parent, business psychology consultant and advocate

Review

“Jan Stewart has capably filled the void in the literature by describing the roller-coaster lives of a family raising and living with two children with mental illness. It is an honest and insightful account that will inform families going through such challenges. This book will be of great interest to all who care about this critical issue.” Paul Garfinkel, O.C., M.D., FRCP, FRSC, inaugural Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health “ A devoted mother describes the daily challenges, successes and milestone events she and her husband experienced raising two children with mental health disorders from infancy to adulthood. Every page is filled with remarkable insight, wisdom and indescribable love.” Susan VanDeVelde-Coke, President and Chief Executive Officer, Kerry’s Place Autism Services “This book is a must-read for any family struggling to support their complex children or for those who know such a family. Through awareness comes compassion and a more inclusive world.” Amanda Matejicek, parent, business psychology consultant and advocate

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Barlow Publishing (March 2, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1988025974
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1988025971
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 32 ratings

About the author

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Jan Stewart
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Jan Stewart is a highly regarded mental health governance expert and advocate. Her memoir Hold on Tight: A Parent’s Journey Raising Children with Mental Illness tells the raw and emotional story of her two children and imparts invaluable insights and advice from her lived experiences. Her mission is to empower parents and inspire them to persevere, as well as better educate their families, friends, health care professionals, educators and employers. Jan chairs the Board at Kerry’s Place Autism Services, Canada’s largest autism services provider, and was previously Vice Chair at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. She spent most of her career as a senior Partner with the global executive search firm Egon Zehnder. Jan is a Diamond Life Master in bridge and enjoys fitness, genealogy and dancing. www.janstewartauthor.com

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
32 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2023
As a parent of a neurodivergent son, Jan channeled the rollercoaster to absolute perfection. All the appointments, constant gaslighting by friends or relatives who don’t understand, and personal struggles trying to balance a career, marriage, and also raising our daughter, Jan’s pleasant cadence throughout the book made it feel as if we were sharing our experiences over a glass of wine.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2023
I can't say enough good things about this book by Jan Stewart. The book is powerful in so many ways. It educates readers about her children - their successes, challenges, strengths, and wins and losses. It also helps readers understand the complex suite of physical and mental struggles that can afflict children and the resulting effects on entire families. Stewart also adeptly shows that no matter the conditions or struggles, dedicated people and resources exist to help children and families - the universe of mission-driven professionals, people and institutions who work to help is large and encouraging.

Finally, I save my greatest praise for Stewart and her husband - for their courage, determination and grit, and their willingness to constantly fight the battles, large and small, year in and year out. They have gone to the mat every day for much of their lives and have made untold sacrifices to fight for a cause greater than themselves - their children. They belong in the parenting hall-of-fame.
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2023
Jan Stewart’s recommendations for parents of children with mental health disorders or developmental disabilities is clear, concise, and actionable; Embrace research. Make a plan. Insist on partnerships. Find support groups. And most important of all, forgive yourself for your mistakes. She shares her family’s journey as a way to show us how we can come through our own traumas and trials. I devoured this book in less than a weekend. I highly recommend it for professionals, parents or anyone who knows someone coping with these challenges.
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2023
This book profiles the author's journey parenting her 2 mentally disabled children into adulthood. It is so readable, that I could not put it down, and finished it in a weekend. It is well written, instructive, but most importantly a compassionate tale of parenthood and triumph, as well as a guide to many current mental health treatments. With the rise of anxiety and depression at this time in history, it would benefit any parent to read this book.
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2023
Hold on Tight by Jan Stewart is a difficult book to put down. Thank you to Jan and her family for making the brave decision to share their story. Jan writes beautifully and is very open in describing the difficulties she and her family have faced. There was no sugar coating! Starting with the title and certainly in her life, Jan is fighting the stigma associated with mental illness.
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2023
You couldn’t say you love this book. It is not that kind of book. But it IS illuminating and honest. And for those parents with ill children, this book is a portal to a life that others share. You are no longer alone in your overwhelming family
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2024
Jan takes you through her personal life nurturing two children with disorders. She describes the many times she and her husband were the only advocates for their children. To never give up, and how to “hold on” until they reach a happy and productive life.
Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2023
This book was a gift from my uncle. I picked it up and read the entire book in one sitting. Besides being beautifully written, it is full of the brutally honest life experiences of parents of children outside the norm. We too are a family of neurodivergent children and though they present differently, I could wholeheartedly relate to the poignant life lessons learned along the way. Thank you Jan for being brave enough to unveil what life can be like for parents with children with mental illness. It’s certainly not an easy road, but we learn lessons too. Our children can be our greatest teachers.

Top reviews from other countries

Bob
5.0 out of 5 stars I highly recommend this book
Reviewed in Canada on December 4, 2023
This book is straight and written with authority and experience. Jan Stewart's book is lively and she connects with her audience. Invaluable!
Lyndon
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read
Reviewed in Canada on June 9, 2023
I gobbled up Hold on Tight in two days. I could not put it down. It was beautifully written and so compelling. Most of all….it was written with so much love.
How Jan Stewart, her husband David and their children Andrew and Ainsley navigated monumental and everchanging challenges represents "The Hero’s Journey” like no other. Their collective courage is an inspiration not just to me, but I am sure to all families facing similar challenges with neurodivergent children.
Mom Review
5.0 out of 5 stars Practical, Thoughtful and a Must Read
Reviewed in Canada on June 11, 2023
This book is a must-read for any family navigating the world with neurodivergent children - and those who care about them. Written by a mom, this book delivers moving insights, practical tips, brutal honesty and genuine joy. The impact of raising children in a world that isn't set up for their success is profound on the entire family, and this first person account captures that experience powerfully. Bravo!
Janet Wright
5.0 out of 5 stars There is hope for all of these special children and their families
Reviewed in Canada on March 9, 2023
This is certainly Jan Stewart’s love song to her children. The book exhibits resilience, persistence and strength. This family is a warm, loving unit who work together to overcome their children’s mental health issues - and these children have become very productive citizens. In the face of adversity, his family goes the extra mile to support their children and each other. A very good read. I couldn’t put the book down. Power on with your love song Jan
Suzanne Kosky
5.0 out of 5 stars Big Hugs Jan
Reviewed in Canada on May 7, 2023
I really only knew Jan from bridge....and always remember that....although she was very focused....when her phone rang...she was always there to answer, with a soft voice and an encouraging demeanor.....My family also has children with challenges....I learned a lot from Jan's book....I didn't always understand....thanks Jan...communication is essential....I have shared your book!