
143. It's Never Too Late to Be a Great Parent with Catherine Hickem
From ResponseABLE Parenting by Becky Jennings
April 27, 2026 · 51 min
About this episode
Catherine Hickem shares insights on how parents of young children can foster strong relationships with their adult children.
EVEN THOUGH I am not a parent to an adult child, I was struck by how many things Catherine shared that we can be doing NOW as parents of young children to set us up for an incredible relationship when our kids are older. For over 40 years, Catherine Hickem has helped families navigate emotional complexity with clarity and purpose. A licensed clinical social worker, seasoned psychotherapist, and executive coach, Catherine has worked with thousands of parents and professionals alike—guiding them through seasons of conflict, change, and growth. Through her platform, Parenting Adult Children Today, she provides resources that are clear-eyed and compassionate, rooted in both clinical experience and personal story. Catherine speaks with empathy and credibility, as a professional who has seen these wounds play out in therapy rooms, and as a mother who has walked the path of reconnection and herself. Her message challenges parents to reflect rather than react, to trade control for curiosity, and to do the inner work required to become a safe and steady presence in their children's adult lives. Catherien's upcoming book It's Never Too Late to Be a Great Parent is coming out this year, and…
People in this episode
Host: Becky Jennings
Guest: Catherine Hickem
Topics covered
- parenting
- emotional complexity
- adult children
- relationship building
- self-reflection
Keywords
- parenting
- adult children
- emotional complexity
- self-reflection
- Catherine Hickem
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Parenting Adult Children Today
Books & works: It's Never Too Late to Be a Great Parent
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