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. That means contacting you, which they don’t want to do right now. But if they …
Learning Circle on Self-Care Friday 9/8/23 or Sunday 9/10/23 Click here for the time in your time zone Objectives: Clarify what self care looks like for you Start or solidify your practice to prepare for the holidays Guidelines: – Be prepared to take notes – Stay muted unless you’re talking – Share the “air time” …
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 Family Support Resources has something special to offer you this fall. Yasmin’s 2023 Moving Beyond …
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 discussion at these links: Part 1 (May 12, 2023) Part 2 (May 19, 2023) (Be …
Let’s gear up for Mothers Day — and fathers, you’re invited too, as your day is coming next month. Please join me on Zoom this evening for our very first member circle. This meeting will *not* be recorded; it’s just an informal gathering for members to see and talk with each other. Let’s share ideas …
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 the large number of respondents (more than 8,500 adult children), the length of observation (24 …
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 here now.) Those are not platitudes. They remind us of the useful tool we always …
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 it causes could actually affect your heart. Known by various names, including Takotsubo Syndrome and …
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 may be shocked. Also confused, afraid, and maybe a little bit panicked. Some parents who’ve …
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, along with a workbook for note-taking and review. The Green learning pathway is for parents …
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 have likely been stressful. Worrying about what to do about the holidays, and whether and …
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 might immediately answer, “Well, that’s what I want, obviously.” But that wasn’t the question. The …
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 good time to review your self-care strategy and make sure it’s well established by the …
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 your time and attention right now matters. In fact, how you spend your time today, …
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 other materials, is available for purchase through FSR. However, FSR has generously provided the Reconnection …
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 above or click the pic), and Each day opens at 9am US Pacific Time / …
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 I have the honor and pleasure again this year to be part of Day 2 …
Happy New Year! We have exciting plans to expand our library in 2022 by creating a variety of new resources for our members. That will necessarily mean spending more time on member-only content, and less time on the podcast. So… Starting this month, new episodes of The Reconnection Club Podcast will be released every other …
Inside the Reconnection Club, parents help each other try to understand the reasons for their adult children’s decision to create distance. The need for this kind of perspective-taking was highlighted by a study recently published in the journal Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice. According to this article, the study found that almost 80% …
Pain is a normal and expected reaction to the loss of important relationships. But for some parents rejected by adult children, ordinary pain is made worse by unhealed injuries from the past. (See also The Deep Pain of the Rejected Parent) If you’ve been hurt deeply or often in your life, even a healthy response …