About this episode

Tina Gilbertson discusses how parents can help their adult children achieve independence while recognizing their own dependency needs.

In this thoughtful episode, host Tina Gilbertson offers a fresh perspective on a question many parents of young adults wrestle with: How do we help our adult children become independent — and how do we know when to step back versus step in? Drawing on the universal reality that we all have dependency needs throughout our lives, Tina makes the case that genuine independence doesn't come from being left to figure everything out alone. Instead, it grows from the experience of being able to truly depend on others. The ultimate goal isn't total self-sufficiency, but interdependence — the ability to both lean on others and be someone others can lean on. Tina also invites parents to look at their own dependency needs and consider how those may be shaping their adult child's struggles with independence or reliance on them. When the way forward feels unclear, she offers a practical guiding principle: Meet the need that's strongest in the moment, stay open to small, unexpected steps toward independence, and trust that balance between dependence and independence can return over time. For evidence-based information and tools to repair the parent-adult child relationship, read host Tina…

People in this episode

Host: Tina Gilbertson

Topics covered

• dependency
• independence
• interdependence
• parenting
• adult children
• relationships

Keywords

• dependency
• independence
• interdependence
• parenting
• adult children
• relationships
• self-sufficiency

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Reconnecting With Your Estranged Adult Child

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