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unwanted gift

Another Reason NOT to Send Gifts to an Estranged Adult Child

Tina Gilbertson

When you send your estranged adult child a gift, it might not be obvious that this could put her or him in a difficult position… If your child wants to be polite, they have to thank you for the gift. …

Coming Fall ’23: Moving Beyond Family Struggles

Tina Gilbertson

Moving Beyond Family Struggles 2023 Some parents of estranged adult children (especially Reconnection Club members) want to keep learning and being inspired to grow, even during an unwanted estrangement. If that’s you, then my friend and colleague Yasmin Kerkez of …
Click to listen to Part 1 of this interview

New Podcast Interview on Parent-Adult Child Estrangement

Tina Gilbertson

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Mary Foley on her podcast, Live Like Your Nail Color. Our interview was part of Mary’s series, “Women’s Essential Relationships.” The episodes aren’t numbered but you can find both parts of our …

New research on estrangement between parents and adult children

Tina Gilbertson

If you’ve ever wondered what the research says about parent-adult child estrangement, you’ll be interested to learn about a study published recently in the Journal of Marriage and Family. This U.S.-based study is important for unwillingly estranged parents because of …

Breathing Matters

Tina Gilbertson

Breathing is part of the language of coping with difficult circumstances. We tell ourselves, and each other, “Remember to breathe.” (Don’t hold your breath.) “Breathe though it.” (Tolerate the pain.) “Breathe into it.” (What we resist, persists.) “Just breathe.” (Be …

Estrangement and Broken-Heart Syndrome

Tina Gilbertson

Do you prefer listening to reading? This topic is also the subject of Episode 145 of The Reconnection Club Podcast.  *   *   * As if being estranged from your adult child(ren) weren’t bad enough, the stress of the emotional pain …

Emotions of Estrangement

Tina Gilbertson

Do you prefer listening to reading? There’s an episode of the Reconnection Club Podcast on this same topic. Listen now: Ep 139: Emotions of Estrangement  *   *   * When you first realize you’ve become estranged from your adult child(ren), you …

Learning Pathways are here!

Tina Gilbertson

We’re excited to announce the first of three planned Learning Pathways to be released in 2023 for Reconnection Club members. Learning Pathways are recommended resource packages for specific circumstances. They provide a list of suggested materials to digest in sequence, …
Sleepy dog

January Blues? Leave the Goal-Setting Till Later

Tina Gilbertson

At the beginning of every new year, there’s a load of messages out there about making a new start. But not everyone has the energy to do that in January. For parents of estranged adult children, the past few months …

Reconnect With Good Feelings During Estrangement

Tina Gilbertson

How would you feel if your estranged adult child came back into your life today, with a kind and open heart? What if you could hold a beloved grandchild, or take part in a family gathering, surrounded by smiles? You …

Self-Care for Parents of Estranged Adult Children

Tina Gilbertson

Do you prefer listening to reading? We some audio for you, based on this article. Check out Reconnection Club Podcast #132: Self-Care for Parents of Estranged Adult Children.  *   *   * For parents of estranged adult children, autumn is a …

7 Ways to Waste Your Time When Your Adult Child Is Estranged

Tina Gilbertson

Do you prefer listening to reading? For an audio treatment of this article, listen to Reconnection Club Podcast Episode 129: 7 Ways Parents Waste Time During Estrangement.  *   *   * If your adult child is currently estranged, how you spend …

2022 MBFS Summit Interview with Tina Gilbertson

Tina Gilbertson

The Moving Beyond Family Struggles Summit, hosted by Family Support Resources (FSR), this year featured 26 experts in the field of family estrangement, communication, relationships and personal growth. The entire 2022 Moving Beyond Family Struggles Summit, including all videos and …

Bookmark These Summit Links for Each Day

Tina Gilbertson

Hey everyone, Yasmin Kerkez sent me the access links for each of the four days of the Moving Beyond Family Struggles Summit 2022, and invited me to share them with you. Two things: You must be registered (use the link …

Moving Beyond Family Struggles Summit 2022

Tina Gilbertson

If you’ve been around here a while, you might remember last year’s wonderful Moving Beyond Family Struggles Summit, conceived and hosted by Yasmin Kerkez of Family Support Resources. I was honored to be interviewed by Yasmin for that Summit, and …
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