Set Boundaries With Difficult Parents Using Detachment

Austin threw his hands up. “No matter what I say or do, it’s always the same thing!” he said, voice raised in frustration. We had been talking about his most recent visit with his mother, one he had begun with cautious optimism, hoping that if he explained himself just a little more clearly this time, […]

Grieving the Parents You Needed but Never Had

Want more posts like this in your life? Join the Tiny Buddha list for daily or weekly insights. “We can’t receive from others what they were never taught to give.” ~Unknown When I was younger, I believed that love meant being understood. I thought my parents would be there for me, emotionally and mentally. But […]

Four Ways for Parents to Manage Their Emotions

When toddlers melt down and teens snap back, it’s natural for us to have emotions. Some parents feel overwhelmed or out of control. Others try to push their emotions away. Emotions, after all, can be quite painful. Whether it’s joy, fear, rage, or anxiety, emotions affect parents every day. How we manage our emotions influences […]

How Estranged Parents and Adult Children Can Heal

A recent Cornell study found that 27% of adults are estranged from a family member. Research from Ohio State finds that 26% of fathers are estranged from an adult child—and that fathers are 22% more likely to be estranged from a daughter than a son. Other studies estimate that 11% of mothers have little or no contact with an adult child. And a […]

How Parents Can Help Kids Ask the Big Questions


“I can do it myself!” That’s a phrase we typically associate with young children when they learn to get dressed and eat breakfast. Later, they might use it as they start riding a bike or reading a chapter book. But what does the question have to do with their spiritual development? A lot, it turns […]

Why Parents Are Lonely and How They Can Connect

The term “lonely parent” may seem like a contradiction in terms. Parents, by definition, are inextricably linked to at least one other human, after all—their child. And parents are constantly interacting with other humans: teachers, doctors, coaches, caregivers, and other parents, including, for many, the co-parent. Thus, it’s no wonder that so much of the […]

Therapy Isn’t Something to Be Ashamed Of

As a therapist, as well as someone who goes to therapy, I can speak firsthand about the importance of attending therapy. Think of it this way: you are driving your car and suddenly you hear a funny noise. At first, you ignore it and hope it goes away. But over time, the noise starts to […]

7 Reasons Adult Children Stay Connected to Toxic Parents

Parent-child relationships are often portrayed as inherently loving, but this isn’t true for many adult children. Instead, they endure ongoing emotional harm or mistreatment from their parents that undermines their self-worth. If you find yourself in this situation, you might question why you remain in contact with parents who consistently belittle you, manipulate you, ignore […]