About this episode

Tina Gilbertson discusses how estrangement from adult children can be a sign of an ongoing relationship and offers insights on how to strengthen it during periods of silence.

When your adult child stops talking to you, many parents' biggest fear is they'll never come back. If silence goes on for months or years, you might naturally wonder if the unthinkable has happened, and the relationship with your child(ren) is actually over. In this hopeful episode, therapist and host Tina Gilbertson argues that estrangement itself is a sign the relationship is still alive. Find out how to use this time to strengthen the relationship, even when it appears there's no movement. As long as you yourself are learning, growing, healing and evolving, your relationship with your adult child(ren) is potentially doing the same. For evidence-based information and tools to repair your relationship with your estranged adult child(ren), read Tina's book, Reconnecting With Your Estranged Adult Child . https://amzn.to/2ZhetMe Club members can discuss this and every episode in the General Discussion forum inside the Reconnection Club. Not a member yet? Learn more and join. https://reconnectionclub.com Follow Tina Gilbertson on Substack - https://tinagilbertson.substack.com EPISODE LINKS: Family Systems Theory (Murray Bowen): Bowentheoryacademy.org…

People in this episode

Host: Tina Gilbertson

Topics covered

• estrangement
• parenting
• relationships
• mental health
• personal growth

Keywords

• estrangement
• adult children
• relationships
• healing
• communication

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Reconnection Club, Family Systems Theory, Vermont Center for Family Studies, Bowen Theory Academy

Products: Reconnecting With Your Estranged Adult Child

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• 221. Why Time Is Your Friend (Revisited) · April 6, 2026 · 9 min

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