When Jarrett Krosoczka went to live with his grandparents at the age of three, he wasn’t sure why he was there or why his mother couldn’t be there with him. It wasn’t until the age of nine that he learned the truth: his mother was addicted to heroin and had spent much of Jarrett’s life incarcerated. In this episode of the Exceptional Parenting Podcast, host Stefanie Boucher talks to Jarrett about the emotions and challenges children can experience when growing up in a family facing addiction or other difficult circumstances. Tune in now to find out:

- How and when to discuss sensitive situations with the children you care for;
- What kids facing loss need from their caregivers; and,
- The #1 thing children must have in order to develop their creativity.

About Our Guest:

New York Times best-selling author and illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka creates books with humor, heart, and a deep respect for his young readers—qualities that have made his titles perennial favorites on the bookshelves of homes, libraries, and bookstores.

With more than 30 published books to his credit, Krosoczka is a two-time winner of the Children’s Choice Book Awards and has been a finalist for the prestigious Will Eisner Comic Industry Award. He has delivered two TED Talks, which have collectively accrued more than two million views online. Krosoczka has been featured on NPR and can be heard weekly on The Book Report with JJK on SiriusXM’s Kids Place Live, a show focusing on books, authors, and reading. His Punk Farm, Lunch Lady, and Platypus Police Squad series are all currently in development for film. Learn more about Jarrett and his work at studioJJK.com.