Headlines regarding estrangement between adult children and parents have become increasingly common. Articles like the Wall Street Journal’s “Why Are So Many Adults Cutting Off Their Parents?” or The Guardian’s “A ‘Silent... Read more »
Anticipatory grief, regret, triggering, guilt: All of these and more may be ingredients of the stew of complex emotions swirling around for adult children of a dying parent. For the adult child... Read more »
Co-authored with Bridget Harris A few months ago, Sesame Street posted a simple message for Jewish American Heritage Month. The spirit of the post was unmistakable: celebration, inclusion, belonging. Yet the comment... Read more »
Why are so many parents shocked or blindsided when an adult child goes no contact? Many parents describe estrangement as coming completely out of the blue. They may insist they had no... Read more »
This is the 6th post in the Parents in Recovery series. Summer is a favorite season for so many of us. It is often viewed as a time to slow down, vacation,... Read more »
Choosing a child care program is one of the most consequential decisions parents make during the early years of a child’s life. When my kids were young, I would visit classrooms, observe... Read more »
A brief note to readers: This piece centers on the experiences of parents who are estranged from their adult children. If you have estranged yourself from your parents or other family members,... Read more »
Picture this: it’s 8:30 p.m. The kids are finally in bed, but instead of relief, there’s emptiness — the sense that even love itself feels heavy. You go through the motions —... Read more »
Passive-aggressive parents are caregivers who express anger, resentment, or disapproval indirectly rather than communicating openly. Instead of telling you what’s wrong, they might use subtle digs, sarcasm, or silence to convey their... Read more »
This general circumstance is becoming strangely common in the business world. A veteran hiring manager is impressed with a recent college graduate’s credentials. He’s attended a good school, earned excellent grades, and... Read more »