In this episode we welcome Senator Lynn Ruane to the podcast. In this episode Lynn discusses growing up in Tallaght and her childhood experiences of taking drugs and getting into trouble in her early teens. She discusses how she became pregnant at 15 years old and how becoming a mother in her teens impacted her life. She describes you she became involved in the addiction services and how this was a turning point in her life. Lynn discusses the important role her parents had in her life and trajectory. Later becoming the student union president and ending up in the Senate.  Lynn is keen to identify the important role others played in her success and the vital support she received.  Lynn talks about her question about encouraging her two girls to be independent thinkers, and the challenge that poses as a parent. She also discusses the concept of stepping back as a parent and creating an identity as a person again.   Keywords: Single Parenting. Addiction. Moderation. Resilience. Managing child independence email : askingforaparent@gmail.com  twitter : @Asking4aParent instagram : asking_for_a_parent