Many of you have grown children, and you know how fragile those relationships can sometimes be. One thing for sure—the fierce love you felt for them as children never goes away, and the “Mama Bear” instinct in me still rears up if I ever get the notion that one of my grown children is not being treated well. My guest, Connection Messenger* Annette Petrick shares some simple wisdom she’s learned from her own experience with a grown son and two daughters.
Use the audio player below to listen to this 90-second show.
I’ve been the parent of adult children for several decades now. Things have been going very smoothly. My children are mature, responsible spouses and parents. But they do run into some rough spots every now and then.
When I decided to write a radio show about the connection of parents with their grown up children, I took a serious look back at my own experiences with my son and two daughters. I have been honored and humbled to have been asked for advice over time. I realized that I never took that request lightly.
I was very careful not to use the request as an excuse to rag on their partner or their children. I was also smart enough to make a rule, early on, of never “telling them” what to do. It has indeed been a balancing act.
And now that I am occasionally in a position to ask their advice, I see how well it works, as I find them following the same “rules.” This post explains how we have gone about it.
[powerpress]
Annette Petrick for Consider This
Annette Petrick is the creative genius and inspired storyteller behind the Consider This Radio Show, featuring dozens of colorful 90-second episodes serving up “timely perspectives on life, love, friends, family, giving back, and giving thanks.” You’ll laugh, cry, rant, cheer, or remember. Be sure to get on her email list HERE to receive a new episode every Sunday morning.
[stextbox id=”stb_style_870581″]* What’s a Connection Messenger? At Heartspoken, a Connection Messenger is someone who helps point the way to strengthening one of life’s essential connections: with God, with self, with others, or with nature. [/stextbox]
Thank God For My Sisters
I completely understand that, Karen — and how lucky they are to have you in their corner!
I have a son, 36, and a DIL, 40+, and I have the same thoughts whenever I’m around them. I am so gratified to see what a strong marriage they have after 15 years, too. That makes me so happy. We are more like friends now, though I’m a fiercer friend because of the Mama Bear thing.