Dean McDermott Says Sobriety Has Made Him a More Present Parent

Dean McDermott sobriety and parenting, Digi Mart USA News: Dean McDermott believes sobriety has made him a better parent. The 59-year-old reality star, who has children Jack, 28, with former spouse Mary Jo Eustace; Liam, 19, Stella, 18, Hattie, 15, Finn, 14, and Beau, nine, with ex-wife Tori Spelling, celebrated three years sober in June.

He told Us Weekly magazine that he is feeling incredible in this chapter of his life. “I found true happiness within, as well as all the external things in my life: my children, my girlfriend, my job, my life,” he said.

“I love my life today, and I owe it all to recovery.”

McDermott said he had reached a point where it was “really time to change.” Developing coping skills, spiritual principles and better emotional regulation has given him “self-love,” which he has been able to pass on to his children after previously causing them “some damage.” “I get to make amends and repair that,” he said. “It is fair to say that being in recovery has made me a more present parent.”

McDermott insisted he is not a “perfect” parent, and developing more patience has been especially challenging. “Patience was a hard one because when you get clean and sober, you get your feelings back, and they’re multiplied 100 times over,” he said.

“I really, really had to learn patience, and that’s something the program taught me. And it’s getting better.”

He added that his relationship with his children is growing stronger. “It’s not perfect, but it’s something I continue to work on, and will work on every day for the rest of my life,” he said.

“We’re starting to heal. A lot of work to do, but you know we’re doing it.”

McDermott also expressed gratitude for Lily Calo, whom he described as his “biggest supporter.” “She accepts me as I am, warts and all, as flawed as I am,” he said. “She believes in me more than I believe in myself.”

Calo said she is proud of the growth she has seen over this period. “His sobriety, how hard he works.

Not only at that and his recovery, but how hard he works in his day-to-day life to be able to rebuild and repair those relationships he was talking about,” she said. “It’s just such an admirable journey.”