Parenting doesn't stop when your child turns 18; it simply changes shape. As the brain's adolescent phase extends until the age of 32, parents must navigate a new terrain - one that requires patience, empathy and self-awareness.
The traditional assumption is that maturation ends at 18 or 25, but this is no longer accurate. Today, many young adults remain in their family homes, often due to economic and social factors. This can lead to feelings of frustration and resentment among parents, who may feel like they're losing control over their child's life.
Research suggests that excessive parental involvement can hinder a young adult's development. "Helicopter parenting" - the tendency to constantly intervene and rescue one's child - can disrupt mental health, self-confidence and identity formation. Instead, parents should focus on setting clear boundaries, having open and honest conversations, and giving their children space to navigate their own lives.
It's not about whether your 28-year-old lives at home; it's about the relationship evolving to match their developmental stage. Parents must learn to let go of control without becoming dependent, finding a delicate balance between being available and respecting their child's autonomy.
Unprocessed trauma from one generation can be passed down through the family, causing estrangement between generations. Parents who recognize and process their own trauma can help heal this pain, leading to stronger emotional security and resilience within the family system.
When worldviews diverge - politics, religion, lifestyle choices - parents must exercise humility. Love does not mean agreement; it means allowing differences. The moment you try to win an argument, you risk damaging the relationship. Curiosity is the antidote; ask rather than tell, and remember that every generation reacts against the one before it.
Ultimately, your influence endures, but not in your opinions. It lives in how you embody love, respect, integrity and kindness. You helped write the relational map that lives inside your children - trust that and trust them.
The traditional assumption is that maturation ends at 18 or 25, but this is no longer accurate. Today, many young adults remain in their family homes, often due to economic and social factors. This can lead to feelings of frustration and resentment among parents, who may feel like they're losing control over their child's life.
Research suggests that excessive parental involvement can hinder a young adult's development. "Helicopter parenting" - the tendency to constantly intervene and rescue one's child - can disrupt mental health, self-confidence and identity formation. Instead, parents should focus on setting clear boundaries, having open and honest conversations, and giving their children space to navigate their own lives.
It's not about whether your 28-year-old lives at home; it's about the relationship evolving to match their developmental stage. Parents must learn to let go of control without becoming dependent, finding a delicate balance between being available and respecting their child's autonomy.
Unprocessed trauma from one generation can be passed down through the family, causing estrangement between generations. Parents who recognize and process their own trauma can help heal this pain, leading to stronger emotional security and resilience within the family system.
When worldviews diverge - politics, religion, lifestyle choices - parents must exercise humility. Love does not mean agreement; it means allowing differences. The moment you try to win an argument, you risk damaging the relationship. Curiosity is the antidote; ask rather than tell, and remember that every generation reacts against the one before it.
Ultimately, your influence endures, but not in your opinions. It lives in how you embody love, respect, integrity and kindness. You helped write the relational map that lives inside your children - trust that and trust them.
so i was thinking, parenting is like a journey that never really ends, right? it's like our brains are still growing until we're 32! 
that means parents have to be patient and understanding when their kids are still figuring stuff out. like, even if they're not living at home anymore, they're still dealing with their own stuff.
you gotta give 'em space to make their own mistakes and learn from them.
... everyone's got an opinion, but what really matters is finding common ground. I mean, we used to think 18 was the magic age, but now it's more like 32 or something. It's all about adapting, you know? Can't have parents being too controlling and then feeling resentful when their kid doesn't need them as much. That's just like gerrymandering 
... they're just trying to hold onto power instead of giving space.
... it's like, we can't keep passing down emotional baggage from one generation to the next. We gotta work through that stuff ourselves and be more empathetic towards each other. It's all about finding that sweet spot between being involved and letting go, kinda like the perfect filibuster 
.
... not always agreeing on everything. I mean, my grandma used to say, "Love wins," but sometimes it's just about listening and understanding each other's perspectives. It's like when you're trying to reach a bipartisan deal 
... compromise is the name of the game!
i was reading this article about parenting and it made me think about my own life lol like I know people say 18 is when you're a adult but let's be real we all still need help sometimes, right? 
so yeah parental involvement changes as your child grows up and gets older, like research says the brain is still developing until you're like 32 or something! that's wild 
My kid turned 18 and suddenly became an adult? Please. I thought it was all about finding your way in the world by age 25. But nope, now we gotta adjust to a whole new ball game where our little ones are still figuring stuff out... like, how to cook ramen noodles on their own 
It's about finding that balance between giving them space to breathe and being there for 'em when they need you.
. And yeah, maybe I'll overstep a little (a lot) - that's what adult kids are for, right? To fix their own stuff without mom and dad breathing down their necks 
.
. And honestly, love isn't about winning arguments or being right, it's about showing up with empathy & understanding 
.