What if your estranged adult child sends you an angry letter (or email or text), listing all your flaws and failings as a parent? Should you respond right away? What should you say? What if they tell you not to contact them?
In this essential and practical episode, RC Podcast host Tina Gilbertson urges parents to pause when they receive this type of communication from estranged adult children. Instead of rushing to reply to all the points in the letter, send a simple acknowledgement first. And after that, take the time you need to respond more fully.
To acknowledge your child’s message, Tina offers a three-sentence “script” using your own words. The 3 sentences she proposes will both safeguard goodwill and buy you time to gather your thoughts. Don’t respond to your adult child’s angry letter before listening to this episode. (Use the player below.)
For much more information and tools to repair your relationship with your estranged adult child(ren), read Tina’s book, Reconnecting With Your Estranged Adult Child.
Club members can discuss this and every episode in the General Discussion forum inside the Reconnection Club. Not a member yet? Learn more and join.
Follow us on Instagram.
EPISODE LINKS:
Reconnection Club Podcast Ep. 177: How to Process a Letter From Your Estranged Adult Child (Part 1)
Reconnection Club Podcast Ep. 178: How to Process a Letter From Your Estranged Adult Child (Part 2)
Never miss an episode. Subscribe now on Pocket Casts or iHeartRadio. Or subscribe to the Reconnection Club channel on YouTube.