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Remember the 2006 comedy Failure to Launch, starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Mathew McConaughey? I found it pretty easy to identify with Kathy Bates, who plays the mom (Terry Bradshaw plays the dad) – of a son who would not stand on his own two feet. They had to creatively coerce their adult son to move out. 

Well, news flash. The tide has turned, and we – the parents –- are more and more often attempting to scrub the launch. Or at least that's what our adult children claim. We want to hold tight and keep our place at the center of their lives. 

Unfortunately, our adult children often experience this as overinvolvement, being directive and too instructional. The outcome can be devastating when we fail to respect their request. They are asking us – need us to - get out of their way and step back. We are being asked to support, encourage and cheer them on from the sidelines – and as parents, we often resist.

For more information, please go to https://www.WhenOurAdultChildrenWalkAway.com to find resources, strategies and tips to prepare to repair!

The continuum of estrangement discussed today can be found at https://www.togetherestranged.org/levels-of-estrangement.

The stories, examples, reflections, and perspectives shared in this podcast are based on my professional work as an estrangement coach and my personal estrangement journey. Any examples, characters, or stories referenced are either drawn from my own lived experience or represent a composite of multiple real-life situations shared with me over time. The intention of this podcast is not to accuse, label, or defame any individual but to provide insight, validation, and support for those navigating the complexities of family estrangement. All opinions expressed are my own and are shared with you, the listener, from a place of healing and learning.