Adult Children

With your children gone, who are you now? So many women believe their identity is firmly wrapped around being a mother. I, too, am a woman of a certain age – proud to say I am fabulously 56! I’ve been married for almost 32 years…

When I was writing my book, Parents of Adult Children: You Are Not Alone, I found that the major source of discontent – on both sides of the generational divide – was the disparity between the parents’ expectations…

Estrangement – what an ugly, harsh-sounding word. Jarring to the ears, in fact. The dictionary definition of estrangement is “to turn away in feeling or affection, make unfriendly or hostile, alienate the affections of.” Estrangements are…

During the current pandemic, I find it relaxing to watch Army Wives before I go to bed, and I’ve noticed that, in every episode someone says, “I’m sorry.” This TV show being a soap opera (albeit a high-class one), the apology is always…

About five years ago, my husband approached me and asked me how I would feel about having his mother come live with us. We had only been married for about three years at that point, and she lived about 1200 miles away…

Martin Luther said, “You cannot keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.” Read More

It is said that once a mother, you are always a mother. However old your son or daughter may be, they are always your children. This may be right, but it is a blessing and a curse. Most of us cannot escape it. This realisation came home to me…

Some time ago, I wrote an article about how to deal with estranged adult children. Many of us were feeling the heightened sting of loss. I was surprised by the response that article evoked. I know there are many hurting moms, but…

Have you ever needed to provide temporary housing to your adult children?

Living in a full house can be a wonderful experience and also a very challenging time. I am describing a situation when your adult child and their family move in under the same roof and have different – read as unique – parenting ideas that may seem foreign to you! Read More

When your child was three years old, you had one way to communicate. Due to their immaturity, chances are you were more directive and direct with them. “Don’t touch the hot stove!” or “Let’s go use the potty!” These were the ways we communicated based on the needs of the moment. Read More