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Parents often feel angry, ashamed, and bereaved when adult children don't fulfill their dreams.

When we are emotionally distraught, we tend to put ourselves at physical and emotional risk.

Untangling the family dynamics is key to the healing process.

"My daughter and I were so close. I never imagined she would get married, have kids, and cut me off. She doesn't answer my phone calls, texts, or emails and practically forbids my grandchildren from speaking with me. It's hurtful beyond words. Her husband refuses to talk to us and clearly considers any involvement we try to have with their family an intrusion. I can handle him not liking us, but what happened to my daughter? Doesn't she remember the close relationship we had? I don't even know who she is anymore." –Cynthia, 68

"Our son was a sweet kid, a good student, and became a successful graphic artist. He married a lovely woman, and they have an adorable young son. He seemed happy. One minute everything seemed to be going smoothly, and the next minute, he tells us he wants out of his marriage. He's now divorced, strapped for money, and acts like a different person. We try to be emotionally supportive, but he's irritable, impatient, and angry with us all the time. He doesn't say why. It's almost as if he is blaming us for choosing the wrong partner and things not going well in his life. What are we supposed to do when our child is all grown up but acts like a defiant teen?" –Noah, 70

Parenting Adult Children

Throughout my years of practicing psychiatry, I've seen endless variations of parents who are disappointed, angry, embarrassed, ashamed, and devastated........

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