When Grown-Ups Forget the Rules

By Cassie Speakes

When Grown-Ups Forget the Rules was written to support children whose caregivers - often parents - have broken the "rules" of trust, safety, or presence because of addiction. For many children, this experience is filled with conflicting emotions: love and anger, loyalty and disappointment, hope and heartbreak. This story is not meant to explain everything, but to open the door for gentle, honest conversations and emotional validation.

Children in these situations often:

Blame themselves for the adult's behavior

Try to "fix" or care for the struggling adult

Feel confused by inconsistent affection or presence

Bottle up emotions to avoid making things worse

This book gently reminds them:

None of this is their fault. They are not responsible for fixing it. They deserve to be safe, heard, and loved.

We encourage you to:

Read the book with the child at their own pace

Ask open-ended questions like, "How do you think Maya felt here?" or "Does anything in this story remind you of something?"

Validate all emotional responses - even silence or anger

Provide a safe space for ongoing dialogue

If you're a grandparent, foster parent, teacher, therapist, or temporary guardian, your role matters more than you may ever know. Your patience and presence are helping this child build resilience, trust, and a sense of worth that will carry into their future.

With care and solidarity,
Cassie Speakes
Author

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FGJRT4NK
• ISBN13: 9798290495620
• Release Date: July 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 26 Pages
• Weight: 0.24 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.5" x 11.0"