Something Happened to Our Mom A Story about Parental Addiction by Ann Hazzard

When a parent's pain medication use spirals into addiction, children often feel confused and scared, and this compassionate story validates those complex emotions through Claire's perspective as her mother's behavior becomes increasingly unpredictable. The narrative thoughtfully captures how parental substance abuse disrupts family routines, showing Claire taking on adult responsibilities like caring for her younger brother when their mom can't. Featuring diverse family experiences, the book gently explains addiction as a sickness rather than a moral failing, providing age-appropriate language for this difficult family situation. It serves as an invaluable therapeutic resource for children grappling with a parent's opioid dependence or prescription drug misuse.

What distinguishes this children's book about addiction is its unwavering focus on a child's emotional reality—the fear, confusion, and loyalty conflicts that arise when a trusted caregiver becomes unreliable. The story reassures young readers that they aren't alone and aren't to blame, while offering practical coping strategies for navigating parental substance use disorders. Families experiencing similar challenges will find comfort in its honest yet hopeful approach to recovery conversations. This thoughtfully crafted narrative provides both mirror and window—healing validation for affected children and essential understanding for their peers.