Woodbury Reports, Inc.
Bonners Ferry, ID

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The Confusing Problem
of Parenting Young Adults

The fact of the matter is…a parent never stops being a parent. Parenting will change however, just as your child grows and matures. But for some young adults who struggle, they may have a "failure to launch" or they just don't know all of the realistic steps it takes to move into a healthy state of independence. On today's show, Lon's guest Rohini Ross, MA, MFT, the Executive Director of Vive, spoke about the different issues young adults today face in regards to moving forward.

From economic issues and/ or lack of jobs, young adults are feeling overwhelmed and don't know how to step out of their "safe and warm environment". They are stuck in fear and anxiety and often look unmotivated by their parents. So, therefore parents are stepping in (because they love their children) and are managing their child's life, rather than letting their child fail, which they need to do in order to grow and gain self-confidence.

Yet with all of their stepping in and help, many parents are feeling angry and resentful. This is when parents need to have good communication with their child- not to micro manage them. Often what a child wants and what the parents want is not the same. Parents need to have realistic expectations. This is the time for them to really question what my boundaries are. What are their needs? And come from a place of calm, clear unemotional space for their child to understand and hear what they are saying, otherwise they will only hear the anger, fear and resentment…with two parties caught up in their emotional upset. This can be a good time for a mentor to step in, someone the child knows and respects: an aunt or uncle, a pastor or a neighbor, to help build their confidence up.

It is essential for parents to take care of themselves, just as they did when their children were babies. Anything that promotes quiet and self-care, such as meditation, a walk or gardening. When the mind is clear, parents have the emotional space to come from care, to speak calmly and help their child feel confident and capable to move forward with their lives.

To listen to the full interview, go to The Confusing Problem of Parenting Young Adults on LATalkRadio.
Also available in Podcast

Lon Woodbury is the owner/founder of Woodbury Reports, Inc. and www.strugglingteens.com. He has worked with families and struggling teens since 1984 and is the host of Parent Choices for Struggling Teens.

Rohini Ross serves as a clinical supervisor and is the Executive Director at Vive. She holds a degree in Counseling Psychology with a Certificate in Consciousness Health and Healing from the University of Santa Monica. Rohini is a licensed Marriage and Family therapist in the state of California and adjunct faculty at the University of Santa Monica.

This show was sponsored by Father Flanagan's Boys Town in Nebraska. 402-990-5371 www.boystown.org DougCzyz@boystown.org