On this special two-part episode of the podcast, Tina reads a letter she received from an estranged adult child whose estrangement story began with childhood enmeshment.

You'll learn about enmeshment's impacts on children, and why those impacts are sometimes invisible to even loving, conscientious parents.

Listeners may gain clarity about their own situations through understanding that estrangement is not necessarily a failure of forgiveness. Estranged adult children are not necessarily stuck in the past or holding a grudge.

The message of hope is that even though the past can't be changed, the future of your relationship depends on what you do today in order to heal, learn and grow.

Tina wants to acknowledge and thank the person whose letter made this informative special episode possible: May you and your mother be happy, peaceful, and joyfully connected.

Links about enmeshment:  GoodTherapy article on enmeshment The Enmeshed Family: What It Is and How to "Unmesh" Signs of Parent Enmeshment Checklist by Patricia Love Parentification interview with Steve Berman, LCSW (members only)

RC Podcast episodes mentioned: 147: When to Stop Trying to Reconnect 95: The Deep Pain of the Rejected Parent  125: The GOOD Parent's Biggest Blind Spot (See also Part 2)  46 You Can't Change the Past (But It Doesn't Matter)

Members can log in and discuss this episode in the General Discussion forum inside the Reconnection Club.

Not a member yet? Learn more and join. Check out Tina's book, Reconnecting with Your Estranged Adult Child