The Dos & Don'ts of Parenting Adult Kids cover art

The Dos & Don'ts of Parenting Adult Kids

Practical Ways to Keep Your Relationship Healthy and Long Lasting, Even When Challenges Arise

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The Dos & Don'ts of Parenting Adult Kids

By: Ann Marie Sorenson
Narrated by: Nancy Higgins
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About this listen

No matter how old your child is, you’ll always be their parent. Discover how you can sustain your relationship even when you’re no longer under the same roof.

If you thought parenting was hard, wait till your kids grow up.

The older your kids get, the more complicated your relationship becomes.

While conflicts used to revolve around bedtime and homework when they were little, things get a little more serious when they become adults.

Now you’re fighting about their choice of partner, their parenting decisions, or their finances.

Before you could simply send them to their room or ground them, but now they can choose to just leave and not call you for months on end.

Having once had such a significant role in your child’s life, you now feel like you’re just a tiny often-forgotten part of it.

But no matter what happens, you still want to be part of your child’s life. But in order for this to happen in a peaceful and harmonious way, things need to change.

Obviously, you can’t have the same kind of relationship you once had, but you can have a much richer and more meaningful one.

This guide will show you how to navigate this new chapter of your parent-child relationship so you and your adult child can deepen your bond, resolve your issues, and heal from past wounds.

Inside, you will discover:

  • How your role as a parent will change now that your child is an adult–and how this could be good for your relationship.
  • How your “help” might be harming your child–and how to actually be of real help to them.

Why you need to let go of your adult kid and why it can be so hard to do–plus 10 ways to stop clinging to your baby and let your fully grown adult kid fly.

  • Why boundaries are even more important when dealing with adult children, and how to maintain them in tricky situations.
  • How to bridge the generation gap and find the positives in your differences.
  • How to shift from a parent-child dynamic to one of mentorship and friendship.
  • The three-step system to repairing an estranged relationship with your adult child, and four things you should never do when reaching out to them.

And much more.

When you’ve been in a position of authority for so long, it can be hard to give that up.

But it’s important to remember that they’ve grown into their own person now, and that’s what you’ve worked so hard for their whole lives.

You and your child aren’t getting any younger. Don’t waste any more time stuck in a power struggle, in a fight, or at an impasse.

Grow, evolve, and welcome the shift in your dynamic. This stage of your relationship will be the best one yet!

©2023 Ann Marie Sorenson (P)2023 Ann Marie Sorenson
Parenting & Families Parents & Adult Children

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Listener received this title free

This guide will assist you in navigating the new phase of your parent-child relationship and in strengthening your bond. It describes how to let go of your adult child, maintain boundaries, bridge the generation gap, shift from a parent-child dynamic to one of mentoring and friendship, and the three-step process for mending a broken relationship. It also serves as a reminder that they have become their own person and that neither you nor your child are getting younger.

The book offers guidance on how to navigate the shifting relationship dynamics between parents and adult children, including how to communicate effectively and respect each other's autonomy. It emphasises the significance of relinquishing control and embracing a new role as a loving and supportive mentor for your adult child. Highly suggested!

Parenting 101!

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Listener received this title free

This author has done an amazing job of capturing the many difficulties parents of adult children face. I have a 17-year-old that I want to prepare for as she heads out in the world, and I need to start that transition of treating her as an adult. Immediately in chapter 2, the author discusses that the parent's expectation may not be the child’s, which hit me hard. Already we have these discussions, and I have had to start releasing my hold a bit. My intention was to prepare my daughter for an adult, but the book had me reflect on when I became an adult and how my parents treated me. My parents were adamant that I needed to learn how to do things on my own, and if I didn’t know the answers, I needed to seek them out and not just expect them to help me.

As I listened to the book, I continued to reflect on the situations I encountered as a new adult and even in my mid-twenties. For each new situation I faced, I had to learn how to talk to my parents about it for advice but not beg for help. I am sure my parents wanted to tell me everything they would do if they were me, but they did not. That’s exactly what this book is saying. You will have your own opinions but your child is now an adult and hopefully, you have been raising them to become more independent. Yes, your child will always need you at any age but they do not want a parent constantly judging or sharing their opinions.

Chapter 6 dives in to the fact that estrangement will happen, but not to worry as it is common. Your child is creating what their adult life looks like as they are now independent. Find ways to stay in touch and connect with your child but understand that they have their plans too. So what will you do now with all this extra time, as you are not constantly monitoring your child and having to do things for them? Chapter 7 covers just that. Start to get back into the habits of self-care and finding what you love to do. You have done your job as a parent, it’s now time for you.

Keep the connection but cut the cord

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Listener received this title free

One of the book's strengths lies in its empathetic and understanding approach towards the evolving parent-child dynamic. The author acknowledges the unique dynamics that come with parenting adult children and recognizes the need for adjustments in communication and expectations. By highlighting the importance of mutual respect, open dialogue, and emotional support, the book encourages parents to build a foundation of trust and understanding. The book offers practical strategies for navigating common challenges that arise in parent-adult child relationships. It addresses topics such as boundaries, independence, financial matters, and conflict resolution. The author provides thoughtful insights and actionable advice, offering readers a toolkit of effective communication techniques and problem-solving skills. Recommend!

Exactly what I was looking for!

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Listener received this title free

Incredibly eye-opening! This audiobook has been a pleasure to listen to. It provides valuable insights into navigating the parent-child relationship when children become adults. It explores how our role as parents changes and offers practical guidance on maintaining connections, setting boundaries, and shifting from a parent-child dynamic to one of friendship. It's a must-read for any parent seeking to deepen their bond with their adult child. Highly recommended!

Very eye-opening

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Listener received this title free

I got this book as it seems I have been blessed with the spawn of Satan in my 16 year old who seems to think he is the man of the world. I am going to really try this talk less and listen more that is covered in chapter three in the hope that the communication channels can go back to the way it once was ;o( I guess I am attracted to Chapter five as perhaps I am either too soft or too hard. It's hard to know what I am at the moment. The book fixates mostly on guides to help be a better parent to your child but there is a section later in the book which I liked as it does focus on you as the parent. Hopefully the book will be as useful for you as I think its going to be for me. I am glad I have this. Top narration

Content is awesome

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