You’ve heard it said, “You’re only as happy as your saddest child,” and perhaps this is your mantra. But what if that belief is holding you back from being the parent that your adult child needs? Can you lead them through their struggles and help them overcome their fears when you feel as bad as they do?

Today, we’re talking about emotional enmeshment; what it is, how to recognize it, and how to start untangling yourself from your adult child’s emotions, while loving and guiding them every step of the way.

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💻 My Waitlist is now open for Parents who want to take my online course: “Journey to Independence: A Step-by-Step Roadmap to Guiding and Launching Your Adult Child”

For more information and where to sign up, visit: https://parentingfx.com/pages/the-parenting-course

I hope you’ll join me!

From this episode:

A few gentle reminders to ease you through this process of separating your emotions from your adult child's:

My child doesn’t need me to feel what they’re feeling. They need me to lead them through it.

My child doesn’t want me to be weak.
They want me to show them emotional strength.

My child won’t learn or grow or change
If I just let them stay stuck and lost.

My child needs a parent who can lead with confidence.

And that’s me.

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Do you want to know if your adult child is struggling with Failure to Launch? Grab the free Failure to Launch Checklist here: https://parentingfx.com/pages/ftl-checklist

🗣️I’m looking for a small focus group of parents who are willing to share their deepest concerns, their worries, and what keeps them up at night. Please email me: Shari@ParentingFX.com for the dates and times.

Click here to receive Shari's Free LAUNCH Advice Newsletter

🎙️Remember to hit the SUBSCRIBE button so you never miss an episode.

Shari can be found on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Search for: @sharijonaslifefx

Walking on eggshells, afraid to set boundaries, worried about pushing your young adult too hard and constantly second-guessing yourself is EXHAUSTING. There’s got to be a better way.

It might sound cliché, but there are so many parents who are in the same boat as you, trying to do the right thing for their young adult, but nothing is working. Maybe it’s not what you’re doing, but how you’re doing it. You’ve lost your power. Your self confidence as a parent is non-existent. You live in constant fear of upsetting them and you know what? They can tell.

In this episode, I’m joined by my new friend and parenting coach Kim Muench. Back in Episode 19, she shared her personal story about her son’s struggle with alcohol addiction. If you haven’t listened yet, I encourage you to. You’ll find it incredibly inspiring.

This time, Kim and I are talking about a different topic, one that touches every parent with an adult child who is struggling. When our children aren’t happy, we aren’t either. We want to help, but we don’t know how. The answers however, are not as elusive as you think.

The problem is you’ve lost your confidence. In it’s place is fear, worry, and this gut-wrenching sense of helplessness. But today’s conversation might change all that.

So go for a walk, or find a quiet space and join Kim and I as we share our stories, reflect on how we were parented, and offer the insight and tools that can help you start parenting with confidence.

The full interview is available on YouTube. Here's the link: https://youtu.be/ZIjhVEYjLcY

If this episode resonated with your, we'd love to know! Remember to share this with someone who might need to hear it. And, hit the Follow button so you never miss an episode.

Do you want to know if your adult child is struggling with Failure to Launch? Grab the free Failure to Launch Checklist here: https://parentingfx.com/pages/ftl-checklist

For a complimentary 15 minute consultation, email: Shari@ParentingFX.com

Click here to receive Shari's Free LAUNCH Advice Newsletter

🎙️Remember to hit the SUBSCRIBE button so you never miss an episode.

Shari can be found on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Follow her for Real Talk, No BS Parenting Tips.

Search for: @sharijonaslifefx

"I hate you! You're the worst Mom in the world!"

Did you ever say that to your parent when you were a kid? Or maybe you were on the receiving end; watching your 5-year-old, arms crossed, storming off in protest because you wouldn’t let them bring their stuffed animal to school. They’ll get over it, you thought. And they did.

Fast forward 20 years, no more plush toys, no more explosive dramatics. Just silence. You have no idea what’s going on inside their head. They're quiet now. Almost all the time. Except when they want something. You can’t help but wonder if they even like you. That look on their face when you ask them to do something, you'd think it was physically grueling work. Put your towels in the hamper – that’s all.

Do you ever wonder what your adult child thinks of you? What do they say about you behind your back? Are you still “the worst parent in the world” - but for different reasons? You can spend the next 5 years or 50 years, never knowing, or maybe you’ll find out when they tell you their therapists thinks you've traumatized their childhood. Maybe they've traumatized your parenthood, you think. Not out loud of course.

Here’s the truth, so brace yourself. You will never truly have a meaningful and authentic relationship with your adult child if you don’t know how they really feel about you, as their parent.

If you're ready… this episode is for you.

Do you want to know if your adult child is struggling with Failure to Launch? Grab the free Failure to Launch Checklist here: https://parentingfx.com/pages/ftl-checklist

For a complimentary 15 minute consultation, email: Shari@ParentingFX.com

Click here to receive Shari's Free LAUNCH Advice Newsletter

🎙️Remember to hit the SUBSCRIBE button so you never miss an episode.

Shari can be found on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Follow her for Real Talk, No BS Parenting Tips.

Search for: @sharijonaslifefx