Happy Fourth of July
I first posted this on July 4, 2014. Here it is again for 2015, with this addition–
What does it mean to be independent? It means you are not controlled. For parents of estranged adult children, can you declare independence? That means not allowing someone else to control your thoughts, your behavior, your outlook or your future.
Here are three ideas to become more independent:
1) take control, 2) accept, 3) help yourself to de-stress
I’ll write more specifically about these in a future article. For now, consider what these things mean to you. And now…here’s the article from 2014, which has a few links to help.
Holidays are always busy with traffic for this website, as parents saddened by the loss of connection with an estranged adult child look for help. For some of us, the estrangement of an adult child makes other family relations complex and difficult. We may avoid holiday gatherings because of this, or in some cases, be excluded.
I know how lonely it can be, wishing things were different. Perhaps you’re longing for a grown daughter who is estranged, or feeling the deep sorrow of missing an adult son who won’t talk to you. It’s tough for parents who never expected things would turn out this way with the sons and daughters we raised and love.
As the website grows, I will continually update the pages to help parents struggling with the loneliness, the anger, the mix of emotions that can occur. I know the sorrow and the pain. Please know that you are not alone, and there are many parents out there who feel for and support you.
In the spirit of Independence Day, here are a couple of articles written for this and for my balance and joy website that might be helpful in declaring your independence from the pain, taking good care of yourself, and moving on as best you can:
Getting Free of the Pain of Betrayal
Five Ways to Move on After an Adult Child’s Rejection
Be Kind to Yourself
Mother’s Day When an Adult Child is Estranged
Holidays: How to Manage Them
You might also consider joining the community forum support group for parents of estranged adult children, or leaving a comment to this post. Often, another parent of an estranged adult will reply with some very wise and kind words.
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