When challenged to show backbone with a young adult who is anxious or depressed, one of the common parental assumptions is that this could make things
House Rules: Love and Backbone
"How do I know I am making the right decision regarding my young adult," a mother asked. She was about to give her son, a 26-year-old, an ultimatum.
There are No Easy Answers for Parents Trying to Help a Troubled Young Adult
“My young adult son has serious mental health problem, is living outside the home, using illicit drugs, out of work, and refuses to get help. What can
Do’s, Don’ts & Expectations in Parenting Young Adults
Note: this article was originally published on April 21, 2021 and revised on October 16. One request I make of parents of young adults who come to
What to do When Your Young Adult is Lying
The day before my oldest daughter got married, she asked me, "what is the most important quality to a successful marriage?" I didn't say "love." I
Parents, Are We Enablers?
Look up the definition of "enable" in the dictionary, and you find that the original meaning involves giving the power, means, or ability to do
Help! My Young Adult Tells Me to F-OFF!
“Where Have I Failed?” Sorry to reference such a crass statement but this is the reality in some homes. In the last month, I have had three mothers
“NO” is Not a Four-Letter Word
As the song goes - "sorry is the hardest word." But for many parents of teens and young adults, "no" is the hardest word. We often have trouble saying
When Do You Spank a Millennial?
The short and obvious answer is NEVER. Spanking of younger children is often a default action when all else fails and the parent is utterly