“LETTING GO” OF YOUR CHILD AS THEY BECOME AN ADULT

One of the more challenging epochs for a parent who is actively and lovingly engaged in their child’s emotional growth and development is when their child enters young adulthood. As a parent, having one’s child “graduate” into adulthood emotionally healthy and independent is a source of great pride and personal satisfaction – and of course brings with it a feeling of tremendous relief! There are numerous issues and bumps in the road that arise along this shared journey, most of which relate to the dynamic tension that arises as one’s child begins to assert his or her independence, often bringing about life events that fall short of the ideals that we hold out for them, or that they hold out for themselves.