I Can Fix This cover art

I Can Fix This

And Other Lies I Told Myself While Parenting My Struggling Child

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I Can Fix This

By: Kristina Kuzmic, Shefali Tsabary Ph.D.
Narrated by: Kristina Kuzmic, Soneela Nankani, Luka Kuzmic
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About this listen

From the author of Hold On, But Don’t Hold Still, the emotionally charged and eye-opening account of a mother who navigates the cacophony of best practices and urgent advice from parenting authorities in search of a way to support her teen as he maps his own path to mental health.

When Kristina Kuzmič started to see signs that her otherwise sunny, resilient teenage son was struggling, she was sure a few simple fixes could right the ship. But over the following months, the issues her family faced became more nuanced, complicated, and pervasive than she could've predicted—and what began as a clear to do list spiraled into an emotionally fraught and seemingly endless push and pull between signs of progress and overwhelming fear.

Despite her best efforts, Kuzmič had internalized a set of obligations, ideas, and unrealistic standards from parenting culture and social media that left her unprepared to guide her child when he needed her most. Featuring an urgent and affirming foreword by renowned and New York Times bestselling clinician Dr. Shefali Tsabary—Kuzmič's new book debunks ten "parenting truths” that kept her in crisis, and delves into her insecurities and the mistakes she made to reveal invaluable lessons and transformative approaches that worked.

While her family stands on the other side now stronger than ever, Kuzmič's journey calls to parents who have felt the instinct to say “I can fix this” in situations where good intentions far exceed our abilities to enact change.

©2024 Kristina Kuzmic (P)2024 Penguin Audio
Addiction & Recovery Conflict Resolution Teenagers

Critic Reviews

"By offering us an in-depth account of her most vulnerable and maddening moments as a mother of a child in anguish, Kristina Kuzmič gives us a story as close to an emotional road map as possible."—Dr. Shefali Tsabary, New York Times bestselling author of The Parenting Map

"This book is so honest, reminding us that we are not alone in our parenthood journey, and that what our mind tells us is not always true. It is the perfect example of how showing up day after day, week after week, year after year is all the true love that our child needs. It won't be easy, and it will be far from perfect, but it will be real. Kristina and this book could not set a better example."—Dr. Neela Sethi, general pediatrics and adolescent medicine, teen mental health advocate

"The heart-wrenching and ultimately hope-filled journey of parenting a beloved child struggling with mental health and substance abuse. As a clinician and a mom, I so appreciated Kuzmič's extreme candor, humility, and empathy tackling a topic that is all too often kept in the shadows, leaving parents to suffer in silence. I encourage every parent, but especially those with kids who are struggling, to read I Can Fix This. You will find solace, understanding, and perspective that will not only help your family survive, but hopefully thrive as a result."—Dr. Laura Berman, New York Times bestselling author of Real Sex for Real Women and Talking to Your Kids About Sex

What listeners say about I Can Fix This

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Raw, vulnerable, real & unapologetic

Kristina and Luka have laid bare some of the deepest, darkest moments anybody could ever experience. This is a very raw, vulnerable, real & unapologetic insight into the genuine struggles that come with mental illness. I cried for so much of this book. Utterly destroyed in parts. It doesn’t hold back, but still offers reflections, guidance and hope. Thank you for writing this book. I wish you health and happiness.

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Heartbreakingly beautiful

Luca and Kristina - thankyou for being so open, raw, honest and brave sharing your lived experiences with us. Hearing you both narrate your story was so empowering. I cried many times as I listened, and have been left feeling heard and seen as I navigate through my own struggles raising teens and dealing with mental health challenges in our family. I come away from this feeling both comforted and challenged (in a good way!) Thankyou again for sharing with us this gift ❤️

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Every parent/ carer of a child NEEDS to listen/ read this !

I have tears - I have such huge emotions as I sit here in my car having finished this incredible, honest , raw , authentic account of Kristina and her beautiful son’s story. Just wow - this is something every parent or carer NEEDS to read/ listen to ! The courage and love they have to get through this and then to share this is to help others is just beyond AMAZING . Thankyou Kristina and Luca and your family - this has helped me in so many ways for the children in my life - and for me too - just THANKYOU xx

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A gift

Beautifully written and narrated, overwhelming powerful and a story of the most precious love. It brings hope and the knowledge that love can be contained but can never be destroyed. A gift to the world, thank you both for being in this world

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Loved the openness and honesty of mother and son. Bless you heaps Luka

must read for all parents, mums especially. Listened to the book in 1 day, cried and related to much of what was shared.

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Reminder: You all are brave & you can't be brave without also being scared

but I'm sure you already know that <3
Thank you all for being so honest & vulnerable.
I have taken a similar path to yours Luca & I didn't find this account too triggering. I laughed & cried & felt more than that when I heard what you all have been through.
I'm so happy to hear that life is better even if a cure is not possible.
I wish you all the best for your present & the future.
<3 Love Theresa

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So open and honest

I LOVE this book! Highly recommend it to everyone. I can take so much away from it that can be applied in so many different situations. It makes me more aware of how I handle situations and how I can improve.
THANK YOU for sharing your story and being so honest about it. It’s very encouraging.
Be blessed!

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Tears, so many tears

This was so beautiful and healing to listen to. Thank you Luka, Kristina and family for being brave enough to share the most intimate parts of your lives to help others.

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