"The difficulties of having an adult child with problems, particularly those who are mentally ill, abusing substances, or violent is often overlooked by mental health professionals, the media, and the public. Any mother with difficult children who reads this will undoubtedly no longer feel so alone. It is a book of despair and of hope, anger and love."

"There has never been a book like this. If you're a mother still inside the journey no one wants to speak about, get this book... Judith R. Smith combines eight years of research and grimly honest stories from mothers of children who have SMI, addiction, and other issues we never expected to face in our kids."

"We all know parents who are struggling with their difficult grown children. They would do well to read Difficult, a wise and insightful book. Judith Smith tells the hard family stories and offers both compassion and hope."

"I am someone who has lived in fear in my own home, afraid of my own adult son. This book brings to light the unfair and unsafe burden that has been placed on families of adult children with serious brain illnesses and substance use disorders. I hope every legislator, health care provider, social worker, and community leader reads this book..."

"As a mother who lived with and lost an adult child with substance use issues, I found myself nodding my head while reading this book... Difficult made me realize that so many mothers struggle as I did, and that there is not one right answer for everyone... I thought this book was extremely helpful and a must read."

"As the mother of an adult child with mental illness, I'd been searching for a book like Difficult for too long. The burden of never-ending parenthood requires unfathomable endurance, costs time and money, and promises nothing in return... I imagine many readers, myself included, will wisely revisit this book numerous times."

"In Difficult, Judith Smith breaks new ground in a compelling, sensitive, and ultimately highly useful portrait of mothers coping with the challenges of their adult offspring... parents who currently struggle with adult offspring suffering from mental illness, substance abuse, or other issues will appreciate the concrete advice."

"Difficult spotlights a mostly hidden problem and shows how re-framing can lead to creative problem solving... Smith refreshingly places these issues solidly in a cultural context, offers myriad examples of different paths these mothers have taken, and provides a solid list of resources. What a helpful book!"

"Dr. Smith's book takes on some of the toughest topics out there, which can be packed with emotion and fear. She addresses these topics by including valuable information interspersed with perspectives from people with lived experience. The consistent messages throughout are that you are not alone; and you have to take care of yourself..."

"This is an important and much-needed book. Professor Smith examines the many ways that mothers are profoundly affected by the struggles, sorrows, and needs of their adult children. I'll be recommending it widely not only to parents, but to my colleagues."