“Where Did I Go Wrong?” How to Handle Feeling Disappointment with Your Adult Child

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“I sacrificed for years to make sure my son had the best education possible. Now, he’s out of high school and working at a low level job and says he has no intentions of going to college.”

“My daughter never calls unless she wants something. Even then, she is rude to me!”

“My son is a slob! He doesn’t seem to care at all about how he looks or how his apartment looks. I just don’t get it. I didn’t raise him to be like this.”

It can be very painful to realize that the child you worked so hard to raise is not living up to their potential. Even more heartbreaking is the realization that you may not have a very good relationship with them. Sometimes these issues can make you feel like you’ve failed. As parents, we tend to think that if anything goes wrong with our kids, it’s our fault. Not only do we have the pressure we put on ourselves, we may also have well-meaning family members (and the rest of society) sending us those same blaming messages. But it’s more likely that you did the very best you knew how to do at each juncture in your child’s life. Some things may have been more effective, and some less effective, but you did your best.

Examine Your Own Feelings

I think it’s important to look at your own feelings in a more objective light. Are you feeling frustrated because your child is in a potentially harmful situation, or because the choices he or she made don’t fit in with your goals for their life? Culturally, we tend to value social status over personal fulfillment and happiness. So, if your child opts to go into a career that makes them happy, but does not necessarily provide a good living, we can feel like they are under-achieving. If you’re feeling this way, it might be helpful to take a step back and ask yourself which is better — having a child who is outwardly successful, or one who is inwardly happy? More importantly, whose life is it, anyway?

The reality is, this is now your child’s journey. Whether you approve of their career, their lifestyle, or their choice of life partner, it doesn’t change the fact that they now have the right to make their own choices. Along with that right comes the responsibility of those choices. This is what adulthood is all about. No matter what kind of upbringing a person has had, good or bad, there comes a time when they have to take responsibility for their own lives. This is easy for most of us when we’re looking at another adult who is not related to us, yet it can easily be blurred when that adult happens to be your child.

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Have You Stumbled into an Ineffective Parenting Role?

As parents of adult children, we can still fall into some of those  less effective roles James Lehman talks about in the Total Transformation. We may find ourselves repeating the same patterns we did when they were children. For example, a parent may fall into the role of a martyr or savior, and constantly step in to help their adult child out of situations they have gotten themselves into. They may feel it necessary to help their child pay their rent, for example, even if that child is wasting their own money on drugs or alcohol. Sometimes, this is at a cost to our own well being. Or parents may find themselves being the Perfectionist. “My daughter could have gone to West Point when she graduated, but instead, she waited a couple years and then went to a local college.” (This was actually what my own mother used to say about me. I’m sure it wasn’t intended to be hurtful — she actually was trying to point out that I was intelligent. I just wasn’t putting it to good use, in her opinion.)

2 Points to Remember:

Aside from recognizing your feelings and acknowledging them, there are two important points to remember. The first is that there are very few black-and-white deadlines in life in regards to the path your child chooses. Every person has milestones in their life, and just as we mark early childhood milestones (the first time our child walks, talks, or uses the potty) we can also mark milestones in adulthood (the first car, first time living on their own, first serious relationship). Just like when your kids were younger, it’s important to realize that not everyone matures at the same rate.

This means that despite the fact that 18 is considered the “legal” age of adulthood, not every person who reaches 18 is truly ready for all the challenges of living independently. This is an individual choice each family needs to make, and there is no right or wrong. The key is recognizing if one of your boundaries is being crossed. In other words, are you helping because you truly want to, or do you feel like you are being taken advantage of? Generally, a good “gut check” can help you determine if a boundary has been crossed. If you feel at peace, you are probably okay. If however, you find you are unsettled, or resenting your child or the situation you are in, it may be time to look at things and make some changes.

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Related content: Rules, Boundaries, and Older Children: How to Cope with an Adult Child Living at Home

The second and probably most important point to remember is that people are continuously growing and changing. Just because you don’t see the fruits of your efforts yet, it doesn’t mean you never will. One of the most inspiring examples to me is the story of James Lehman himself. As a young adult, he was using drugs, stealing, and eventually wound up in jail. Yet, fast forward a few years later, he went to college, got his Master’s degree, and began a life-long career of helping troubled youth and their parents. I’m sure he would say to any disheartened parent, “Game not over!”

6 More Tips for Parents of Adult Children

  1. Love the child you have right now and try not to lose hope if they aren’t doing well.
  2. Continue to maintain healthy boundaries.
  3. Even if your child is an adult, he or she does not have the right to be abusive to you or anyone else.
  4. Give them your support and guidance if they ask for it, but try not to force it on them.
  5. Continue to help them in appropriate ways if you feel it is healthy and necessary to do so.
  6. Give them the same space to follow their journey, just as you want others to do for you.

It is, after all, your child’s life. Your relationship with them will be vastly improved if you are able to let go of your expectations for them while never losing hope in their potential.

Related content:
“My Child Decided Not to Go to College — and is Living at Home”

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About

Jacqueline McDowell formerly worked as an Empowering Parents 1-on-1 Coach. Prior to coming to Empowering Parents, she has worked in a diverse range of residential care settings with people who have been impacted by mental illness, cognitive and physical disabilities, as well as pregnant and parenting teens. She has a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from the University of Southern Maine. She is the proud parent of an adult son, Jeremy.

Comments (100)
  • Lucky except….

    I read these comments and I get some relief. My daughter is highly successful. She’s just not nice. Especially to me….

    How can I explain our estrangement to anyone? She’s perfect. Except to me.

    I am, therefore, the problem….

  • Carolyn
    I was a teenager when my daughter was born. I tried my best but I feel like a failure as a mom. I always did everything possible to solve her problems rather than letting her learn from mistakes. I was more concerned with her being happy than doing whatMore is right. I validated rather then counseled her. In short, though I love daughter and tried very hard to be a good mom, I was just too young. I lacked life experience and wisdom. I worked 2 jobs and was under a lot of stress. She moved out at 18 because she didn’t want to live with my midnight curfew. She went on to marry at 20 and had 3 children by age 28. They struggled financially and I did whatever I could to help and I continued to validate her and gave her money I didn’t have. She ended up leaving her husband for another man after 15 years married. Her second marriage did not turn out well. He was abusive and after she finally separated he took his life leaving a video blaming her. That was 2 years ago and she is struggling mightily in every area of her life. I was remarried 19 years ago to a man I love and we are very happy. My husband is thru with giving my daughter money and he’s right. We can’t afford to support her financially and if she were to move in with us (which she wouldn’t without the 2 kids still in high school) my marriage would suffer. She can’t seem to handle any stress which us understandable given the trauma she went thru with her late husband but I worry she’ll end up homeless if she doesn’t get her life together. How can I handle my pain and anxiety for her?
  • Maisie
    I wanted to have my daughter very badly. We made eye contact at the time she was born and I was sure we would have a wonderful relationship when she grew up. My marriage to her father ended when she was a toddler although I tried to keep him inMore her life as she adored him. He was the fun parent but was never really interested in going to her activities or even routine parenting—that was left up to me. Basically we were married roommates sharing the cost of food , rent & utilities. I paid for everything else. After the divorce he didn’t want to pay child support & eventually disappeared to avoid his obligations. I know she was very hurt but I tried to make it up to her & never badmouthed him. I worked hard to provide not only the basics but enrichment as well. I saved enough for college so she didn’t need to get a student loan. I gave her everything she asked for & was always there for her. I didn’t date much because I felt being a good parent was more important. By the time she was a tween & discovered social media she excluded me from Facebook etc as she didn’t want me to know anything about her life. She was an excellent student, was in the gifted program, didn’t do drugs or alcohol, essentially followed the rules but it became very obvious she wanted to distance herself from me to the point of disparaging me and my parenting to others, leaving me alone at every holiday & even told me she wanted an arms length relationship. She didn’t seem to care about me at all. She moved out to live in the dorm & eventually an apartment. Secretly she went on trips back east to find her father. When she finally did, she spent the next 4 years going to visit him 2-4 times a year until he died. She spent more time with him in those 4 years than she ever spent with me since she moved out. He reaped the benefits of my sacrifice and hard work. We went to therapy with four different therapists because after the second visit she didn’t want to go back. The only time I would hear from her was when she wanted something. I bought her several cars & then she wanted a house. My intent was to put enough in a joint account so she could qualify for a loan. She & the realtor said ir was better to pay cash for the house but I expected her to get a home equity loan & pay me back. That never happened & when I had a crisis & one of her acquaintances told her about it the first words out of her mouth, according to the acquaintance, were, “Well she can’t stay here.”. She wasn’t even asked that question. She admitted to saying that & said it because her boyfriend has his own room. At that point, I realized she had never loved me. I was a tool to get what she wanted & to be put back in the drawer until the next time. BTW she puts this is her idea of a mother/daughter relationship: once a week phone call or meet for coffee & that’s all. I declined & of course she goes around saying she offered & i rejected it. I wish I had never had her. I deprived myself of opportunities to find a boyfriend & establish a relationship & I don’t have the daughter I hoped to have either.
    • Autumn

      I’m sorry to hear about your relationship. I feel we “coddle” our daughters too much. My second husband uses that word. It might be what we did that made them turned out “entitled”. My daughter has mentioned that she wished she didn't have to work, and would have liked to have been born into a rich family. It’s a bit hurtful to hear, but she claims she needs therapy, yet she hasn’t made any effort to see one. She currently lives with us, has a partner, staying up til dawn, sleeping the day away instead of putting in more effort into job searching. She recently quit her job thinking she’d move in with her previous roommate. Didn’t even seek my opinion before doing so. I suggested she ask for her job back, but she’s being picky, thinking she’s being “used” too much at work. She simply does not want to work full time. She managed to save money for a car, we are paying half, but if she continues to live with us, she’s expected to pay rent. She does have student loan debt, and I’m the cosigner. At first I wanted her to just to a community college, but the thought would disappoint her. Now I’m thinking she’s thinking college life is just a status thing. I listened to her than to my own gut, and now I feel this debt is mine, because paying it back is in the back of her mind. She does want to live on her own, maybe become a model, but she puts in very little effort these dreams of hers. When she was in school we suggested many times for her to apply for scholarships, but her answer was usually, there’s nothing for my field. She’s only a semester or two from finishing her degree, but now that she is in a relationship, she feels in between about going back, or even to travel. All through college she wished for a partner. Ended up with dates but they were only brief. I suggested she should just focus on her studies, that she cannot multitask schooling and being in a relationship, but of course she never listen.

      We give her plenty of time to make the right choice, but she’s a big procrastinator and also too afraid to speak up or ask. I’ve dug her out of holes numerous times, but she never thanked me. She’s in her room all the time now except for bathroom and food breaks. My step kids are just a few years older, but are more independent. I too am failing. At times I just want to run away, where no one can find me.

  • Good son, but...

    I've read other comments here and my heart goes out to everyone. Nothing cuts as deep as problems with your children. My story is nowhere near as low as everyone else's, except that if I think about it for more than 5 minutes, down the bottomless pit of depression I go.

    He's 25, graduated college with honors, has a great job, good-looking, healthy, no drugs or booze, and has a good relationship with our family.

    The problem is not that uncommon nowadays: He has no friends, no hobbies, does not volunteer for anything, does not even do social media, but is self-centered and does not see a problem with that. Point out simple opportunities or events to get out and meet with people his age and he doesn't go. Plan a trip to visit him and he'll say anything to pass on that.

    I've talked many times about this with him and he tells you he is fine the way things are. So he is not even trying to change things because he thinks he's got what he wants. Work, eat, gym, sleep and repeat.

    I know, its his life, he can do what he wants and if he's happy whats the problem? Just that I see him in 10 years it hitting him hard the result of the choices he made. If you ever saw the movie Papillon, the dream he had about being accused of the worst crime a person can commit: A wasted life. Thats where I see this ending. Not the victim of drugs, getting in with the wrong crowd, etc. No, he's doing it intentionally to himself. He has everything in the world going for him and he chooses to keep it all too himself just to be comfortable I guess.

    I honestly apologize to everyone here who as I said, have way worse situations than mine. I know that. But seeing someone you love waste his potential not due to any demons of addiction but because he simply chooses to do so is a very real hurt.

  • No where to turn
    Long story short. I left a 28 year toxic relationship. I waited for my daughter to become an adult before I ever considered leaving her father. When I left, she was a thriving and productive person. She has always had mental health issues but they were under control at theMore time. I had a bedroom at my new home, she decorated it with her own money and would spend a few days a week with me. Then her father guilt tripped her into spending more and more time at home with him. So it got to the point that it was months since she had stayed over. I never said anything about it. She is not working now because she is spiraling. She will be 31 in August. I have reached out to many places in the area to try to get her help throughout the years but am getting no where. I feel so bad leaving the situation that I was in even though she supported my decision for leaving. The guilt sometimes overwhelms me because, now, she is stuck in that toxic household with him. And when I say toxic, not physically abusive but mentally abusive.
  • happycello
    My 35 year old daughter has a 11 month old boy and a long history of mental illness including binge eating disorder. She receives regular therapy for her eating disorder but has put on weight in the past 2 years. She and I agreed we'd like to take her littleMore boy swimming together. I thought this would be a way for us to get a little closer (an ED means people tend to withdraw and keep secrets)and for her to enjoy seeing her baby develop. But her swimmng costume no longer fits so she wants to 'postpone'. I don't think she'll ever lose weight and would love her to buy a larger costume and just get on with life. I am so wary of talking to her about it because if she gets upset it can trigger binge eating and make her more likely to shut down and not talk to me.
  • SA
    I feel so bad and its ruining my relationship with my 20 year old daughter. She has issues with her hygiene not washing her face or moisturizing and she has gained a lot of weight I know its not major but it really upsets me and when I approach herMore with it. It ends up in a argument. How do I help I stop she seems happy it just be with the problem
  • Lucy
    I feel so bad of myself today. I tried to draw a line between me and my 23 year old, but yesterday when I knew that he got himself in credit card debt,I could not help offering help again, trying to dig him out before he buries himself too deep.More My argument to persuade myself: he is still in college, and this is his last semester ( he has been in college for 5 years and half), he might get into big trouble if I don’t help him and this will be the last time I tried to save his butt. I will stop my help when he graduate this semester. He said he appreciated it, but he had a “plan”, he will dig himself out even without my help, so I should not lecture him (just remind him to plan ahead), accusing me of over-worrying, gaslighting, manipulating and patronizing. For the past two months, I finally tried to get myself out of anxiety (thanks to the articles here) by telling myself again and again that he is an adult who is as capable as me to make a living in the world; he enjoyed freedom of choice, then should take the responsibility instead of shifting consequences to me. I did this for two months and felt good, but out of worries that he could get himself into big trouble, I broke my promise to myself. Feel terrible and helpless again. I know I could not cover his ass every time he made a stupid choice (he never thought it was stupid), the line I draw is “no support after graduation”. I pray that I would be given the wisdom and strength to stick to the line.
  • Dad is Lost

    My son is 24 and has been living with his mother in another state. He finished school in 2022, more than a year ago, but has yet to start seeking a career, or even a job. He has struggled with ADD, ADHD, and various behavioral issues most of his life. he attended a special college for those conditions, but now feels that his degree is worthless. His mood ranges from sad and lonely to downright exuberant, at least until I ask him how his job search is going.

    He seems to be spending his time lately descending into research projects that are simply pointless, i.e., strange Sanskrit translations and other historic searches for proof of intelligent life visiting earth during ancient times. For someone who was kicking and screaming with nearly every academic assignment his entire life, this seems like he is using his newly discovered academic interest as a place to hide.

    His mother is on the verge of kicking him out, as she cannot seem to enable him any longer. In all likelihood, he’ll be moving in with us in the next month. My wife and I need a blueprint, or some place to go to learn guidance on how to get him refocused and productive before this avoidance develops much further.

    • Denise Rowden, Parent CoachEP Coach

      Thank you for reaching out to Empowering Parents. The key with parenting an adult child is first recognizing that as an adult, your son is able to make and is responsible for his own choices. As his parent, you decide whether or not you will support those choices. There really isn't a blueprint for getting him refocused because that's not really your "job" now that he's an adult. If he's open to your suggestions, then talking with him is definitely an option. Giving unsolicited advice, however, is generally not productive. It would be beneficial to develop a living agreement with your son before he moves in. This way everyone will be in the same page in regard to what the expectations are for your son while he's living in your home. We have an excellent article that contains a downloadable template for a living agreement. You can find that here: https://www.empoweringparents.com/article/ground-rules-for-living-with-an-adult-child-plus-free-living-agreement/

      I can hear how much you want to help your son launch successfully into adulthood. The best way to help with that is by giving him clear limits and boundaries and allowing him the space to figure things out on his own (with a bit of guidance from you).

      We appreciate you being part of our Empowering Parents community and wish you all the best moving forward. Take care.

  • My grown daugther
    Well my 23 year old daugther hurt my feeling every change she get she blame me for not let her hang out with friends and didn't let see her grandmother on her father side because when her father pass alway they start doing things behind myMore back say horrible things about me to her so I'll stop the negative so she blame me for that she told me after she got alway from me her life was so much better I'll didn't get go to her graduation party at all now she mother her self now and she told me she hope that I'm not doing the same things to her sister with she hardly spend time with or even call or text her baby sister,I'll let my last child hang out with friends I'll didn't have mother around or father around I'll growing up myself I'll was protect her from world didn't want her experience the trauma I'll went through grown up,we aren't close she more close to her father mother they act like that her mother I'll hardly in my granddaughter life but the grandmother of my grown daugther have more access to them,what get me upset they call the great grandma the grandma when she isn't, and them my grown daugther call me illiterate and say she's embarrassed
    • Girlie
      I know this is very hurtful and sometimes kids no matter the ages say mean things to us parents. Hang in tight, set boundaries, it’s better to not see them then they being disrespectful to you. When she says things like you are illiterate, just tell her it’s not okMore and then leave. Try to capture your relationship with your younger daughter and stars doing things you want to do once they all leave your house.
  • Connie
    Wish I knew where to start! My daughter and 2 grandchildren moved in with husband and I several years ago. Our daughter had gone through a divorce. My husband was not well. We noticed our grandchildren needed a stable home life. So, they all moved in with us. OurMore grandchildren or 23 and 20 now. And are in college. Lost my husband about 2 years ago. The problem is my daughter thinks she has free range to do as she pleases at my house. I have paid help to clean up her horrible room. She does things that I have ask her not to do many times. She does as she pleases and acts like she thought I wouldn’t mind. After I have ask her not to do. She only stays here when her children or here or when it’s best for her. I feel she takes advantage of me. I have ask her to stop bring someone to my house. But she doesn’t seem to respect my request. A few nights ago we had a storm and we loss power. We did get power back. When I woke up the next morning, I found out that she had this person spend the night with her at my house. I hate that I lost it, but I did. I love my daughter but need guidance how to handle her. I’m 75 she is 52.
    • Denise Rowden, Parent CoachEP Coach

      Thank you for reaching out. I can understand your distress. This is a bot outside the scope of what we are able to offer coaching or advice on due to the age of your daughter. I encourage you to see what types of local support services are available to help you and your family. If you are within the US or Canada, you could contact the National 211 Helpline, a referral service available 24 hours a day, nationwide. They can give you information on the types of support services available in your area such as counselors, therapists, support groups/kinship services as well as various other resources. You can reach the Helpline by calling 1-800-273-6222 or by logging onto 211.org (211.ca in Canada.)

      We appreciate you being part of our Empowering Parents community and wish you all the best moving forward. Take care.

  • MessyQuilter
    My daughter moved in with my husband and me about a month ago while she finds a place to live. I’d been taking care of my 2 yr old grandson and my daughter’s dog all morning, while she…long story. I told my daughter I had things to doMore today. My 35 yr old daughter said “what do you have to do? You’re retired.” I am speechless. If she didn’t have children I’d tell her to take her dog and get out. What she says to her children borders on abuse. I feel a responsibility to protect the children, but I don’t know how much more I can take.
  • Steve
    Seeing so many parents going through similar heartbreaking stories. My 21 year old son is struggling in life and I am ashamed that i could have done something different to prevent this. Forgive me but I often don’t want to see him or answer his calls, but whenMore I do I have to put on a happy face despite the despair I feel inside for his life choices.
  • Alan G
    Recognize our feeling? I don't think any parents would want their child to be unhappy. But they choose a path that they think would make them happy. But as parents we know they are wrong. Living paycheck to paycheck or unemployed or underemployed will not make them happy. Sharing ourMore life experience with them is a treasure they often ignore. That is what is frustrating for most smart parents.
  • Alison
    My daughter is being assessed for autism she is almost thirty still living at home and has now started to abuse me when she is feeling overwhelmed. I don’t know what to do.
  • Hopeful
    I am so happy I found this article, and the comment section. This is such a difficult situation. My child is on his own and just doesn’t come around, texts once in awhile, after a life of sacrifice, he doesn’t associate with us. It’s heartbreaking.
  • Sadmomma
    My 19 year old daughter is making choices that will hurt her later on. She was a National honor society recipient, competitive figure skater, and is now at a top university. She just went back to her boyfriend who she broke up with due to her feeling he was selfish,More unmotivated, and possibly narcissistic. He smothers her. He’s at her campus all weekend therefore she’s not meeting new friends. She becomes unmotivated when she’s with him. All her friends dislike him. We know he’s not good for her but he somehow pulls her his way and we pretty much lose her. I know she’s an adult and I can’t do much but it’s hard for me to keep my comments at bay. Should I be voicing my concerns or am I just hurting our relationship. My husband and I told her we don’t want him staying on campus yet he’s always there. I feel like she should be meeting new friends and enjoying college life not laying around playing video games with this loser all weekend. Whenever they’re together I feel like her grades slip also. Am I just being too much of a helicopter mom? Also her choices these days are not the best… a lot of pot smoking and vaping which he of course enables
    • Denise Rowden, Parent CoachEP Coach

      Thank you for reaching out. Now that your daughter is an adult, there really isn't much you can do about who she chooses to spend her time with. Making negative comments or offering unsolicited advice probably won't have a positive outcome. As difficult as it may be, you have to let your adult child make her own choices. If she asks you for your opinion, then, by all means, you can share how you feel in a kind, caring way.

      We have several articles that focus specifically on parenting adult children you may find helpful: https://www.empoweringparents.com/article-categories/ages-and-stages/adult-children/

      We appreciate you being part of our Empowering Parents community. Be sure to check back and let us know how things are going. Take care.

  • Hurt and disappointed mom
    My son is about to turn 22, has been in the air force for 3 years (2 abroad) and has in the last 6 months constantly says unkind and hurtful things to me...don't come over. I saw u a year ago. Someone else's mom came so I have myMore mom fill for a year. We were super close for 18 years. Now he wants nothing to do with me. I never saw this coming. I put everything into this kid. He had an on tap single Mom who struggled to give him everything. At this point...the last conversation was so toxic...I no longer want contact with HIM he has pushed me away and down so much. I'm Angry and feel I wasted 22 years of my life. Now I have nothing..and no one.
    • Girlie
      Maybe as he was abroad, in the Air Force, he encountered issues, and maybe that’s why he is acting the way he does. However it does not justify it. So just keep telling him, you love him, but won’t accept him talking to you like that’s and if he wantsMore help or contact your door is wide open. And that’s all you can do. Try to pick up new Hobbies and do the things you wanted to do when you couldn’t, as you were busy being a mom.
  • TD
    My son is now 21. When he graduated high school he was number 6 out of 450. Always GT classes and amazing student. Instead of accepting in-state scholarships he went out of state against my advice. Racked up bills, screwed off his classes and dropped out. Stayed up there andMore developed a drug habit leading to an overdose that we did not know of until recently. He finally moved back home and quickly totaled his car, calling us at 3AM to pick him up and he was very drunk. Then he decided to join the Navy. While in boot camp they dug deeper into his medical history and found the overdose from a pill that contained heroine and fentanyl. Nothing we even knew about until this all played out. Of course the Navy sent him packing. Now he's back home and mad at me because I am against him going back to being a waiter. I was once a waiter and it's good for people to have the experience but we all know you do not need to pass a drug test to work there, the money isn't dependable, the shifts are not consistent and truth be told - drugs in that industry are easy to find if you're looking. He tells me that once he moves out he'll never come visit me (although I'm the one who will likely have to get him his next form of transportation.) Once again he's sleeping till 11am and waking up to play video games. I remember the sweet kid who said he'd never drink or do drugs. He's taken none of my advise since high school and sometimes I feel like I should get used to him not being around as this path he is on leads to things I don't even want to type here. How do I just let go and let him crash and burn? Is it even possible to help someone who does not want to help himself?
  • Ali
    After seeing "6 More Tips for Parents of Adult Children." I have calmed down a bit. My daughter is 19, struggled through a year of college with a full ride scholarship, and has decided to quit, I did not react, just accepted. She also moved out to live with herMore friend, whom I don't think is the best influence, but influences or not we all make our own decisions. Between school and financial issues she was "going through it", one way to alleviate the issue was for her to move out and make as much money as she can, the other was she quit school. Well the point I'm trying to get to is she wants very little to do with me, she won't visit, when I see her at work she is not happy. I make infrequent efforts to see her, but she just lies and makes excuses. She keeps saying she's going through something and her life is in the air and doesn't want to be bothered, by anyone. This is simply not true, her life and what she does, and who she does it with is the same as always. She basically giving the BS line of "It's me, not you." I don't know what to do with that.
    • Denise Rowden, Parent CoachEP Coach

      Thank you for writing in and sharing your story. There may not be anything you can do with that. Now that your daughter is an adult, she can make the choice not to spend time with you or have much by way of interactions with you. It may help to know that your daughter is going through a developmental stage called individuation - a time when teens and young adults pull away from their family as they move into adulthood. One aspect of this is not wanting to spend much time with parents. It can be difficult for parents when this happens, especially if there once was a close parent-child relationship. I would give her space while also letting her know that you're available if she needs support, as Debbie Pincus suggests in her article https://www.empoweringparents.com/article/estranged-from-your-adult-child-5-things-you-can-do/

      We appreciate you being part of our Empowering Parents community and wish you all the best moving forward. Take care.

  • BrokenMoM

    I am so relieved I found this comment section, after hours of laying in bed worrying about my 19 year old college student who lives in a dorm and recently tells me casually she is snorting opiates. “Like no big deal mom”. I am riddled with angst, ruminating thoughts and fear that drives me. I am also professional in the behavioral health world and have some fairly well for myself so it is Incredibly scary to know the potential road she is ahead. I went through a horrible divorce with her father 4 years ago. Though we did not get along her life was fairly stable yet, she shoves all of her anger rage and life hatred towards me. Everything is my fault. She is many ways took on the verbal and emotional manipulation of her father and I can not tolerate that. I’m currently on a “break” right now from yet it has caused me to think of the most extreme consequences happening to her.

    I realize my own generational trauma and personal pain keep me in this exhausting loop with her often trying to please her just because I want to to succeed. However, I realize this is not working. I feel so broken, like such a failure. It was nice to see other people had some similar situations I think I just need some connection so I feel not so alone it all of this.

  • Portia
    My adult child started displaying symptoms of Tourette's but refuses to see a doctor. I don't hear any noises when she's in her room nor see any tics when she thinks she's alone. The tics seem to occur only when she is recording herself. It looks like aMore symphony of cute whistles, pops, drumming and words. It looks fake to me but I can't question it because she calls people, ablists, if they say anything. I've never seen these tics before until now. Friends are starting to ghost us and relatives are just speechless. In spite of all the tics, she seems energetic and never looks tired. None of her tics seem awkward. I've only known two people with tourette's and they seemed tired and tried to hide it. I've seen several young girls on IG showing similar tics. Is it possible to channel tics so they look cute instead of off-putting? If this turns out to be a media phenomenon, how do I help her stop this? I think this type of media attention can have serious backlash even if it is real. Many people are leaving very mean comments on her profile. She doesn't stop posting even if they hurt her feelings. How do I help her?
    • Denise Rowden, Parent CoachEP Coach

      I can understand your frustration. This is a bit outside the scope of what we are able to offer suggestions on. I encourage you to see if there are local supports in your area that may be able to offer you guidance. The 211 National Helpline is a referral service available 24 hours a day, nationwide. They can give you information on the types of support services available in your area such as counselors, therapists, support groups/kinship services as well as various other resources. You can reach the Helpline by calling 1-800-273-6222 or by logging onto 211.org.

      We appreciate you sharing your story and wish you all the best moving forward. Take care.

  • J Palos

    I can identify with all of you. My adult kids (30 & 28) seemed to be very normal, responsible, respectful adults. My son struggled in school with ADHD, but he always passed his grades with C’s or higher.

    As adults my son stopped coming to visit or call at all. My ex- husband says it’s because my son feels I was never there for my kids. That I abandoned them.

    When I found out my husband was doing drugs (and he would not get help, go to rehab or marriage counseling, or try to stop) I filed for divorce.

    His mother said, “Maybe losing you and the kids will force him to go get help.”

    Well, turns out his mother and his employer bought him the best lawyer money could buy.

    Meanwhile my son, only 3 was terrified staying at my apartment with me. He said it always looked like monsters were coming in the windows! ( I lived off of busy street where headlights shown through the trees behind my place and moved the shadows as the vehicle went by. It very much looked like the shadow of a large man walking past the windows).

    At that point my son said he didn’t want to be there and was hysterical. I called my ex and he came and picked them up. I had hoped he would eventually get used to it. But it got so bad, he refused to come over at all.

    Then, my ex took me to court to get physical custody based on the fact that they couldn’t get acclimated to living with me!

    My lawyer said I couldn’t prove he had a drug problem and that even mentioning it would seem like I was making it up.

    The judge gave him custody of my kids! Which was the first case in Virginia where a mother ( who was to major care provider) lost custody of her children to the father without being an “unfit “ mother!

    I was devastated and could not talk to nor see anyone for weeks!

    It haunted me their whole life.

    Because even after he gained custody, my son still didn’t want to see me because I cried when I saw them.

    I was broken and did not know I had PTSD. I COULD NOT help but cry. So after months of working on my emotions, I finally could see them and had moved to another place where they could spend time with me.

    I did everything I could for them.

    But, as adults they both feel we as in their father and I ruined their lives and are the reasons they struggle with life today.

    I say this to get to this point.

    I was always told by my kids when I would say, “ You need to think of how you make others feel when you speak like that” or “ Consider what someone has done for you in giving you a helping hand and show them you appreciate their help.” In no way did I ever direct that toward myself. It was like if they ever gave someone a gift and the person said no thanks I already have one of these.

    So fast forward to 2021. Both of my adult kids have ADD. I always had it as did their father. I had developed ways to work with my ADD. I tried to teach them those ways too.

    But I can honestly say that it was not until my mid to late 30’s before I actually developed general concern for others in the world ( other than my kids and family). I always had sympathy when I heard sad stories and they would make me sad or cry. But, compassion was not there. Concern for others to do well even if they were not struggling.

    I had hoped that they will grow into that and they still may.

    But, I strongly believe our kids grew up being told that adults tend to brain wash kids by using guilt trips, which are described as life lessons we teach them in humanity, manners, simple compassionate behaviors.

    Which leads back to them saying we have ruined their lives, their disrespect, their lack of tolerance for any feedback and leaning on us…because “WE OWE THEM”.

    They all seem to have ADHD in common. Those with kids who are not, have perhaps not been diagnosed yet?

    I really believe our kids were lost in translation growing up, They think in black and white and have never learned or cannot see the different shades of grey possibilities in life.

    We may have to let this all play through with tough love.

    Instead of giving them money, say, “ I am going to pay for you to take a financial planning class.” Charge them rent for six months ( save that rent money for them to have a deposit) and tell them they have 6 months to find a place with a roommate or two. Indicated they will have to make deposits on utilities, apartments, get a checking and savings account and direct deposit of their paycheck.

    Let them get started. You can leave 12% of what would be a monthly income, out of the stash of rent you saved. Tell them they have 10% to go to savings (preferably a Christmas account that can’t be touched until Oct.) and 2% goes to their savings first. (first month for both in bank already) Then pay their bills. If their portion of rent is $400, utilities/ internet is about $100 and car, insurance, gas and phone are $300 then they need to keep $935 in the bank at all times. So, they can pay rent after saving up two whole months pay, then paying these bills on the day after their next full month of pay has been deposited (basically two months pay, which will leave them again having $935 in bank). This leaves them about $65-$100 a month for food. But if three roommates put $65-$100 each in the pot that’s $195-$300 a month for food. Dating and entertainment can come out of that 2% saved each month, until their pays begins to increase. Work up from there.

  • troubled mom
    I became a grandmother for the first time 9 months ago. I've tried to do my best for my daughter, guiding her and supporting her. when she was 7 months pregnant, her boyfriend kicked her out of their home. I didn't want her homeless at that stage and brought herMore here to our small apartment. At the time, we had our youngest who was 18 almost 19 at the time. there are only 2 bedrooms and a large living room. Krystal demanded we kick her younger sibling out of their room and give it to her. but I was conflicted, why couldn't they share the room? it wasn't fair to either of them to have to sleep on our couch or an air mattress. So, we got bunk beds. it went well for a while, she's moved out since then. and is now raising her daughter by herself. It was her choice, I never held her back, she's 24. she told me a couple of days ago she was mad at me, for always putting her sibling ahead of her, and that I was never a good mother. I had my own issue that I'm getting help with, codependency, but she called me a coward for my anxieties. for not letting her do more or driving her where she wanted. Blames all of us for any mistakes she has made since being on her own. I really thought I did a good job with them. I didn't want either of my children to go through the hell I went through as a child. Didn't belt them, or hit them. I did rage though and got help for that. I stopped, but my youngest was hard for me, they were very defiant and I didn't know how to handle it, so it was very loud in our home. I apologized for any hurts that I caused her, but to blame us for the path she chose and saying we didn't prepare her for life on her own, I can't deal. I didn't choose her path. She would have gone anyway if I told her I wanted her to stay. I am so lost right now, doubting myself even more. thank you for listening. Cathy
  • Worn Out Mom

    I am so tired and worn out. I am happily married of 22 years and have 2 boys that I love dearly.

    They are 21 and 15. My oldest drives me insane. He is ADHD, refuses to do anything but half way clean the kitchen and the rest of the time he wants to play video games and watch TV.

    He had a job...an easy job...that I helped him get but he lied about anxiety and so when COVID happened he was one of the first to go.

    He is lazy, we tell him to do things and he either doesn't do it or lies about it.

    He is a good kid but has major anger issues. He scared of doing things on his own, eats our food, uses our internet, is a smart mouth, and blames everybody else...especially me...for how his life is.

    If it wasn't for us he would have nothing. We get no respect, no gratitude. Nothing. My husband and I argue about me and my oldest because we argue all the time about his attitude, his laziness, and disrespect.

    I love my son and I worry about him but im ready for him to go. Everything he does annoys me. He uses us for all of his privileges but doesn't want to work for anything.

    I'm tired of arguing everyday. If I ignore him he plays the victim which makes me mad. If I give him what he wants and leave him alone he gets to just sit on his butt while we work for everything.

    I've given him 5 years to get his crap together and get our. In 5 years I'm buying a house and hes not coming with us.

    I'm so over all of it.

    • MomBroken
      I am going through what you’re going through. My spirit is broken because of it. I believed in our family unit but lately have come to the realization that my adult 21 year old son has all but destroyed the bond our family of four once had. He has beenMore diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety and severe OCD. He gets therapy and takes meds but I see him getting worse. A part of him likes the diagnosis because he associates his mental illness with an excuse to do absolutely nothing. He’s extremely lazy and doesn’t want to be disrupted. He acts like I’m in his way when he’s in mine. It’s now affecting my marriage to the point I’m questioning everything: my marriage, having kids, our parenting, spoiling him, accommodating his OCD etc. he’s become rude, ungrateful, bossy and literally does nothing but watch YouTube. He won’t eat the food I cook bc he thinks I have germs and it’s contaminated. Stays in PJs most of the time and lucky if he showers once a week. Didn’t finish school, no job, no driver’s license, no friends or socializing of any kind, wants packaged frozen meals or snacks, says I was a terrible mother and berates me when he has meltdowns ( which come around every couple months). My husband is more understanding than I am with him. Dad is the good guy - I’m the bad guy. He’s lazy and doesn’t do anything with his day or life. No plans or ambitions for anything. The thought of having him around for the rest of my life is taking a heavy toll on me and my marriage. I’m losing hope and my spirit is broken. My disappointment, shame and failure is so enormous that I can’t handle it and think about leaving. My husband sees what I see but because he’s afraid he might be suicidal he gives him a pass in a passive way, which in turn escalates my frustration and creates distance between my husband and I. A couple months ago my son stood up to me and looked enraged as he berated me in front of my husband while my husband just stood there in shock. This made me feel betrayed by my husband for not stepping in or defending me, I think it showed my son he gets a free pass when he’s upset and that his parents aren’t a strong unit. I now doubt everything for the last 24 years and wonder how my life would be different if I took a different path. I can’t face the shame I’m feeling. We did this by allowing him to get away with too much not holding him accountable for anything and giving into what he wants or says he needs to keep him comfortable and keep the peace. We have no one to blame but ourselves and this in turn has caused me to feel resentment towards my husband and son. I do take half the blame, I just can’t shake the feelings and can’t feel any joy. I didn’t expect to be here at 51… I was really looking forward to the golden years with my husband and having some peace and tranquility in our home but instead we have an unhappy, self loathing, do-nothing, annoying adult son for likely, the rest of our lives
    • Nate

      I completely feel your pain. My son is 18, got expelled from college for smoking pot. Begrudgingly got a fast food job, and did ONE college class. Last night, he told me he did not like me, and he could not wait to get away from me. All because I asked him to clean the bathroom.

      He accuses me all the time of gaslighting him, and manipulating him, even comparing me to my MIL, which he never knew (she did those things to my husband and me). My husband and I also fight all the time about him. I am so tired of asking him to do things NICELY for at least 2-4 times, then I raise my voice, and end up yelling because he will not do what I ask him to do. My husband gets mad because I yell, my son tells me I am a bully and abusive because I yell. But how many times do you have to ask someone to clean their bathroom? Or vacuum? It's the least you can do for living in our house rent free, and blowing $12,000 for your first semester of college.

      Yet, I am abusive (I have smacked him a time or two for being disrespectful to me), I should have aborted him, which is probably what I wanted to do anyway. He knows my stance on abortion, so why would I have done that? I tell him all the time that he is handsome, smart, etc. He needs to see his full potential. But I will also call him out when he is being disrespectful. Him saying last night that he could not wait to get away from me for the rest of his life was very hurtful. My husband is gone a lot. So my son relies on me for food or dinner, or to have someone to talk to.

      When I point out, calmly, what he does wrong, and how he can make it right, he does not believe that that is my intention. He keeps accusing me of manipulating him. I am also a teacher, and he says he doesn't know how my students even like me because I am terrible with kids, and I should have never had any. (meanwhile, most of my students love my class, and I am excellent with kids - not perfect, but really great with them). So why can't I be good with my own kid?

      I am at my wit's end. We thought he has some undiagnosed ADD issues that we failed to realize in his formative years. We are encouraging him to see a therapist, but he will go, then come back and act like he does not need it, and I am gaslighting him again. Yet, he is the one who told me he has always felt behind in school, and it's our fault for not holding him back. He holds grudges, and is angry all the time.

      I literally want to cry every day when I think about it. Where did my sweet and precious boy go?

      Anyway, your post resonated with me so much because I am in the same frustrated boat.

      Thank you.

    • Kimbie
      This is pretty much my story, except it’s my daughter who has an eating disorder and bipolar disorder. She does some chores and is enrolled in college. But the problem is that she is verbally abusive.
    • Sameboat
      I feel like I could have written the same story about my 20 year old daughter. I have no idea how old this comment is but I would love to get in touch with other orders going through the same struggle. I am heartbroken and don’t know where to turn.
      • Worn Out Mom
        I was looking for more help and understanding, found this article and read the comment. I was immediately connected but then realized I wrote it. I am happy to talk and listen if anyone wants to reach out. Yesterday my son disrespected me again and it hurt so bad...he saidMore its easy to disrespect me...I cried for a long time. Im still upset about it but he apologized so he could use the internet but he meant it. I told him he did and he didnt deny it. I am so fed up.
        • jc

          Dear Worn out Mom, our 18 year old son does not have the same disabilities that your son has but he does the same things your son is doing.We live a a small community in Central VA.

          This is how his/our sons story goes.

          First of all he is very very smart! He does have a L.D. problem with executive functioning and did well in school up untill about 11th grade and then covid closed his school he did just enough to get by. Then 12th grade came and he was only going to school 2 days a week had a school issued lap top but simply would not do any of his school work.he has always lied to some extent but really turned it up by lying to teachers, to us you name it he did it. We don't believe he is into drugs or alcohol or anything

      • Wornoutmom
        I am with you wishing there are parents to connect with. I just keep asking what I did wrong. I wish I could be in touch with others. I decided to get help from therapy and it's ok, but I feel connecting with other parents is valuable. I remember singingMore and dancing with my children, outings, love, cuddles, letting them make decisions, but apparently I am now finding out I was cruel and toxic and destroyed our family etc. I ask myself am I in denual or is this due to a genetic mental health issue that did get passed down. That being said I even took parenting classes to learn how best to help them grow up and did family therapy. I am now shunned and told that my family therapy was toxic (we hired a professional not like I did it) and so many other things. My heart breaks. They have made poor decisions as adults and then blame me for the outcomes even though I never even advised them, only found out after the fact. Example one is being evicted for non payment of rent. Apparently it's my fault because once she got notice I didn't have 4000 to give her. Another married a lazy, non working man and stopoes talking to me after her wedding because even though I treated him nice he didn't like me because he didn't trust me. Less than a year later they are divorcing and it's my fault because he didn't want to be involved with her crazy family yet we had no contact after their wedding. What could I have done different? I realky need to talk because it sure hurts when people talk about their kids, and ask about yours. I feel so awful and like a total failure at the most important thing in my life.
        • Shakti

          I am totally understanding your situation. From "I remember dancing with my kids, outings..etc" to being shunned, I am with you all the way. I have been going through this same situation you have for 2years almost. It is so difficult to understand, especially when shunned because we have to make up our own stories to figure out why, and our stories are likely inaccurate. Every day my heart is broken a little more but now I am beginning to despise them because I have had to draw my own conclusions due to being shunned and before that verbally abused by all of them. People I have met in my life adore me for my love and compassion - do you find that? What it tells me is that I am a good person but I have kids who are in their 30's and are mature enough to make their own decisions. If they shunned me, so I shun them. I will never know my 3 grandchildren but I have to believe they would be just as callous as their parents, just so I can get through this torture. I am so close to telling people I have no kids. The kids I have are not worth my heartbreak so to repair my heart and my psyche I have no kids. My life is being directed in a way that excludes them so I plan to follow that path and see what I get out of it. I am so sure it will be so much better than the junction I currently hover at.

          I hope this helps anyone who reads it.

          If your kids are younger than 30's you could hold on a little more, but don't dwell, let them find themselves and perhaps you will be more fortunate than I. Remember, we were great parents when they were dependent on us and anything else is not our problem, it's theirs.

        • Twyla
          Your story resonates with me. I have one daughter and she was so sweet growing up. I used to rock her and sing to her and read her stories when she was a a young child. She'd bring me flowers and tell me she was glad I was her mom.More That changed in her teen years but I thought she'd mature and want a relationship with us. She has changed into an angry person in regards to us. There is a history of mental illness in my fraternal grandmother, but when she was a rebellious teen that thought never crossed my mind and I so wish it had. She is an adult now and I can't force her to seek help. She wants nothing to do with us and even told us to stay away from her, even at family events, or she would involve the authorities! I also feel like a failure and wish the earth would swallow me when other people brag about their children and I don't have anything happy to say about her, so I don't say anything. I'm so humiliated and ashamed that my family know about this situation after she told them about it. I failed at the most important job of my life and feel worthless.
  • Mothermiserable
    I found this website and finally understand that what I am experiencing as a mom is not unique to only me. I have no desire to control what my adult children do however, I would love to see them make better choices. My oldest son was a smart, lovable, happyMore kid until about the age of twelve. He started listening to rap music and smoking marijuana and changed from good to bad overnight. He has been in/out of jail, blames everyone for his failures and has zero ambition. Frankly, I don't enjoy being around him so I don't. My youngest son is borderline lazy, a slob who barely bathes and shaves with a chip on his shoulder about everything. My oldest daughter uses me for my money, has a horrible attitude and is a really bad mom to her child. My youngest daughter is boy crazy, disrespectful to herself and others, sleeps around and is pathetically lazy and rude. Theses kids were spoiled. I did this to them. I was a bad mom for not making them "want" for anything. They received too many rewards whether they deserved it or not. I'm moving away to get far away from them because they're erasing my happiness. I created monsters.
  • Justlovethemsomuch
    I was a single mom and worked hard to keep and raise my kids , Now my adult daughters are going through divorces . They each have two children and neither is fighting to have residential custody of kids , I am trying to respect there decisions but I amMore having a hard time understanding it . I am having a hard time giving advice to them cause my heart just hurts about it.
  • Teal

    First, a HUGE thank you for these articles!! They have been very helpful & eye-opening!!

    My struggle is not dissimilar to everyone who is commenting. My 21 year old daughter recently moved back in to our home at my request. I was trying to save her from living in the streets with her abusive partner. My husband & I made our expectations clear with the advice from this site to draw up a living agreement. Admittedly, I have been drawn into many guilt trips, tantrums & resistive behaviors from our daughter about complying to the rules. I’ve felt shame, guilt, anger, resentment, disappointment & a host of other emotions because of her not following our rules. It’s been a strain on not only my husband & my marriage, but for our 18 year old son. He’s a senior in Highschool & is also fed up with her laziness & disrespectful attitude. I know that my enabling ways are holding her back, but I can’t live with the alternative of her going back into what she sees as her only option-living on the streets again in an abusive relationship. I couldn’t live with that guilt or stress. Please help.

  • Is it our Fault?
    Over the last 22 years, we have created a calm, stable loving environment for our children. My husband and I both work and were home every day when our children came home from school. Always trying to encourage them to both get involved in school sports or WHATEVER theyMore wanted. It has always been like pulling teeth. About a year ago, my youngest who is 19 now, got involved in drugs and almost lost his life. We were able to turn his life around with his cooperation. After months of searching for a job, he found one that was willing to pay for his college, a decent hourly wage to start and a company truck etc. AND then, he comes to our home when we're not there and steals. We found out today that two weeks ago he was terminated from this incredible opportunity. I just DON'T get it! I am also heartbroken. I thought this was over and he was finally on the right track. I guess not. My husband and I decided it would be best that we cut him off financially. This is very difficult for us because what parent wants to see their child suffer. We are at the end of knowing what to do :(
  • Where did I go wrong
    I have 4 children. My issue is with my oldest son. He's 20 years old and I recently had to kick him out of my house for stealing $4600 from my mother in order to keep his gf happy and from not leaving him. I had allowed her to moveMore in with us and she was here for 7 months until I kicked them both out. I had envisioned my son being successful and thriving and being an asset to society but instead he's the complete opposite! He had dreams of following his passion in wrestling and going to college and it all ended after 1 semester of college. He saw it more important to spend time with his gf. I found out he was lying to me during his second semester when I started to notice he wasn't studying or he was always late to class or would give me some excuse. I found out by myself by investigating. I was so upset he had given up on his education and lied to me. The agreement was if he went to school full time I'd continue to cover all his expenses minus his gf. I had him get a job to sustain his gf since I wasn't. So when I found out he quit school I made him find a full time job. I was so providing got him and provided him with a car to get around in. He ended up killing the engine on it. I cost $2900 to replace. I helped with $1800 of it and made him pay the rest in hopes that he'd start to take care of the car if it costed him money to fix. Nope! He trashed it. I had to fuc the car several times. Paid the tags, insurance, oil changes, smog checks. He crashed the front end if the car and never saved money to fix it. Which was another deal we had made. He replaced 2 tires and I replaced the other 2. I did sooooooo much for him since he's my child and my first born. I spoiled him so much and tried to give him everything. I took pride in doing so knowing I was a single mom after finally divorcing his dad. We're were close and even tho I know he didn't share everything with me, he did share a lot about himself with me. We had a really close bond and now that I kicked him out over stealing and countless other things that I had given him so many chances on, he now hates me. When I kicked him out I did not let him take the TV I bought him as a Christmas gift. Well, this weekend I was gone and when I got home several hours ago I realized the TV was gone. Nothing else was taken just that TV that he kept fighting over. So I folded a police report and I was advised to get a restraining order against him. My emotions are all over the place. I feel anger and hate sometimes towards him. Then there's times I feel absolutely guilty for kicking him out. I start to question if I did the right thing by kicking him out but then I think, well he'll never learn consequences if I keep letting him get away with everything. Then I feel like a failure nadie I blame myself for his stupid decisions. I think we've did I go wrong? Did I give him too much and that's why he and everything for granted? I miss him sometimes and I want to reach out to him but I stop myself from doing that now and now that he came into my home to take things I'm Unbelievably upset, angry, hurt, disappointed to where I don't want to see him anymore. I have 2 little girls 7 and 1 and this is the example he's showing them. I'm embarrassed by his actions and decisions. I feel guilty about how I'm feeling right at this moment. I just want to cry because I don't see the relationship we had being fixed and I don't think he'll change for the better since now his father is enabling him. What do I do? I need advice big time!!
  • Standing Up For Me

    I have 6 kids. I can say this and feel it, "I regret having kids." I was dumb. Irresponsible, and not mature.

    I'm a single parent. I managed to get my BSBM and my Cosmetology license. I have work so many jobs to the point I felt like I was zombie.

    My 5 children over 18 are all losers because I raised losers. I thought them seeing me walk to work, or catch the bus to school, or work until I was dead tired, then go home and study would encourage them. I failed.

    Most recently they took the opportunity to tell me "You're to old to be so dumb. We can't help you pay any bills because we're dealing with stuff too."

    I made the decision to leave with my youngest soon. I've been preparing for awhile now. I feel good about leaving because they never thought I did enough anyway. I couldn't afford expensive things. I don't have a car. I'm not married. I'm just a nobody so I've been told.

    My faith and my dogs keep me sane. They think I'm worthy and know I try everyday.

    Thank you for this post. I read it as one of my sons walked through the house saying, "This is ridiculous," (I hide food, household items so my younger son & I will have these) This from a person that works, and will not even buy his own deodorant.

    • Mom In Despair
      I thought my kids would make better choices than I did. I can't seem to complete what I start and my kids are following suit. My ex (their dad), is an executive and is no help for them whatsoever. I don't know what to do at this point of myMore life. I have one more child who hasn't made it to 18 yet. I hope that he can look at this train wreck and choose a different path. Next year (his 11th grade year), I plan to enroll him in a couple of college classes.Thank you so much for this article. I needed to read it and the replies. I wish there was a place I could connect to some of the parents that can relate.
    • Dear “Standing up for Me”

      Although it’s not clear to me when you wrote this note, the pain is real to me.

      You are someone very special to have created a group of children who will have each other in this world. Whether they appreciate each other or you is up to them.

      I hope you have walked away and got to enjoy raising your youngest by now. Wish you the best.

      There are many people who wish they had a cosmetology profession or anything useful to put a roof over their heads and food on the table.

      My daughter tells me what a loser I am on a regular basis and how stupid I am... the whole nine yards.

      The fact is that most people who speak to their parents this way are in pain themselves ... and often, it’s impossible to feel it will ever end or change.

      You added to the population and are a success. A car is an asset that goes to zero. People where I live no longer waste their money on cars. It’s a lifestyle choice.

      Please love yourself. Close your eyes and just focus on the word : LOVE. You must counteract the negativity so it doesn’t ruin your life.

      Good luck and best wishes.

  • Dazee55

    I wish there was a support group for parents like us who are struggling with their kids'life decisions. I can relate to the anguish of the parents who have left their comments. It is emotionally draining to deal with what life has handed you. Especially when it comes to your children.

    Sometimes I wish I could go back to the time when they were little. We were a stable, loving family and both kids were well-adjusted and by all accounts, happy.

    Here we are, over 20 years later, with 2 suicide attempts, mental illness and one who is transgender and is choosing life altering surgery.

    Not that I am ashamed about that, but in addition to all of the challenges she has - autism included, I have concerns about the rest of the world not accepting her. My other daughter was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and is covered in unsightly tattoos and her career choice is... not what I ever imagined. She had a scholarship to a great University and she just had so much potential. What happened? I took parenting courses and read parenting books. Everything I did, was in their best interest. My philosophy was 'firm but fair' in my parenting style. Anyway... I'm a failure as a parent. That's how I feel and I blame myself for the struggles they've had. It doesn't help to have super-stars in the family and to hear all of their accomplishments reiterated to you at every gathering. After hearing my niece got her master's degree I was asked about my kids and I felt so ashamed. My husband's family has academia in their blood so there are PhD's all over the place. And they are extremely judgemental. I love my kids no matter what, but their path has been difficult to deal with and accept. I'm working on it though. Prayers to everyone.

    • Susan
      Like you, shelly and Laura below - my daughter has, I think, BPD, though never diagnosed because she does not think there is anything wrong with her - I am the one that has everything wrong with me. I am, in her most recent message, obnoxious, abusive, to blame forMore her life going totally wrong, have no friends and everyone hates me on sight. This emotional abuse for the last 25 years has taken its toll and I'm exhausted. I am also extremely worried about her, and frightened about what is going to happen to her. She is now 40 without a friend or job. Like others here, my family have kids who are all high achievers with great jobs, earning thousands. It has meant I have isolated from family and I don't tell friends or family what is going on - its too shameful. It's good to hear from others and that I am not alone - although of course I am sorry too.
    • Shelly R

      I can relate so very much to your situation (and Laura's below)--I could check almost every box you have listed, including the parenting style. I actually came to this site/article via a Google search "I'm having a hard time accepting my adult daughter". Life has been complicated for around 10-13 years now--we've been through the gambit with both kids; runaways, drugs, alcohol, verbal & physical abuse, destruction of our home, stealing from us, cops at our door for a variety of reason... We just NEVER thought this would happen to us or our kids!

      My daughter is 25, Bipolar and 2 suicide attempts. She has tattoos from neck to toe, front and back. Her main source of income comes from dancing at strip clubs. She just broke up w/boyfriend of 2 years and has now taken up what she calls taxidermy--she finds dead animals and preserves their bones. We are not able to converse much about anything without her getting riled up or defensive and her calling me a martyr. I hold my tongue 90% of the time because I know anything I say can/will damage my relationship with her.

      Life with our son who is 22 was not easy either. He used alcohol and drugs heavily from the age of 15. He has told me he was dealing for a while back in H.S. He has been to a handful of treatment programs and has still had several DUI's and other drug/alcohol offenses. He has 6 months left on this last DUI and I am still scared for him as he continues to drink. He has a good job and is a hard worker but parties hard, too. At least I can talk to him a little about things, but it is hard. I love them both so much! They have had difficult teen/young adult years and I just want it to be easier for them, but they think I am just negative about everything they do.

      Prayer, meditation and time away from them actually help. We are empty nesters and that has been a big help. I am ashamed to say it but life with them in it is so, so hard and sad, and I feel so helpless sometimes.

      Thanks for listening.

    • Laura Costa

      We have a very similar path ... borderline daughter doesn’t live her potential ... so many issues ... success all around and we are just trying to survive, let alone deal with all these relatives and friends with their PHD kids. Oh god .

      My daughter has a real disability and suffered incredible mental anguish. That she is alive and not in horrible trouble is a miracle. Honest to god, it’s a miracle. We get the blame for our kids being borderline, however, my daughter was born screaming and honestly never stopped ... DBT therapy has saved her life. It won’t change our relationship. I’m her target the past few years and the best I can do is not interact too much to be honest.

      As for your transgender child.... my oldest friend has pulled her transgender son through the whole transition to becoming a female. After years of therapies and surgeries, her newly minted daughter is comfortable in her own skin.

      As parents, we are dealing with problems that are beyond PhD ... I’ve learned to ignore or simply say my daughter is not a straight line and will take longer to find her way. Then, focus back on them and move along.

      Borderline personality disorder is a serious health problem. It’s also one where the child turns consequences into revenge and not learning ....

      Try to remember that you are not alone... many of us suffer in silence.

      We’ve made the choice to isolate ourselves and that was wrong . If you have family members to spend time with and who love you, simply let them know things are difficult and ask for privacy. Let them know you need support and a cup of tea . Find ways to stay part of the family.

      We are so alone there is literally nobody for us to spend time with anymore. Once people realize the problems our daughter creates, we are too much trouble.

      Good luck and stay connected as best you can with everyone in your lives. You will need them going forward.

  • Hurt
    I am disappointed, hurt and embarrassed mother. My son is angry, and miserable because of his choices, but takes it out on me. What do I do,
  • Laverne
    I raised my son alone. I enrolled my son in the best school, took him to church ,and made sure he was only exposed to positive environments. I am disappointed, hurt and embarrassed. He is disrespectful, and resents his upbringing . He has aMore blue collar, low paying job that he hates. He looks like a slob, and is very angry. He doesn't have any friends. He is a father now, and I find myself doing for my grandaugher, because my son can't afford to. But I'm tired of being used. What do I do?
    • Rebecca Wolfenden, Parent Coach
      I hear you. It can be so hard when you try your best to raise a child to realize his full potential, yet he chooses not to take advantage of the opportunities presented to him. Although I hear how much you care about your son, as well asMore your granddaughter, I encourage you to keep in mind that your son is an adult, and a parent himself, at this point. Thus, he is able to make his own choices about his life, and he is also responsible for the outcomes associated with those choices. While you cannot force your son to make different choices, you can control your own actions and boundaries. Because your son is an adult, anything you choose to provide to him is considered a privilege and a gift, not a right or something to which he is entitled. If you are feeling hurt, angry and used, this is a good indication that you might want to evaluate your boundaries. You might find some useful tips in Failure to Launch, Part 2: How Adult Children Work the “Parent System”. Please be sure to write back, and let us know how things are going for you and your family. Take care.
  • tammielpowell
    As the mother of a young adult estranged daughter, these articles are really helpful for me to read and re-read when I feel as though I get off-track with my emotions and focus. The advice I frequently either read or am given is to accept my daughter's choices/decisions.   IMore get very conflicted about the term 'acceptance'.  Are parents obligated to accept all the poor decisions their adult children choose to make?  How are we to demonstrate true acceptance for behaviors that conflict with our standards and values?   Guess I find myself pondering at what point does 'accepting' roll over to 'endorsing', which to me, seems like a suggestion to roll over and give up.  Thank you for your input.
    • RebeccaW_ParentalSupport
      tammielpowell Thank you for your question.  You make a great point that sometimes accepting your young adult’s choices can be difficult if you do not agree with them, or the values which those choices reflect.  From our perspective, acceptance does not mean endorsement.  Instead, acceptance means that you recognize thatMore your young adult child is separate from you, and has the right to make her own decisions about her life, even those that you do not agree with.  It also means that you allow your daughter to experience the consequences which might arise as an outcome of those decisions.  I hope this explanation has been helpful.  Take care.
      • Used up
        Found this site, thank you, do not think you can really understand how helpful your site is ..........unless you have been in this position and hope you never are I've been thru some brutal physical experiences and nearly died as a result, Nothing has hurt me as badly as myMore children's choices. I am hacking thru each day.....barely
  • Mom Needs Advice

    I am sorry to hear the stories that was shared under this topic. However, it sure feel good to read and share a mental connection with other parents who is willing to be real enough to share their stories.

    I raised 3 kids. Honor students, acheivers in sport, great speakers always chosen to represent their schools, well mannered, wearing the best of the best and groomed to the T type of children.

    I was PTA mom, Team Mom, girl scout and boy scout troop leader, business owner; well known and respected in our community. We attended church 3 days a week, held bible study at home, prayed before every meal and my children knew bible scriptures and were even given the tools to understand how to apply the scriptures to their lives. I read every book on parenting, hugged, kissed, encouraged, nutured, laughed with and despite my busy career, I made time to look in their eyes and listen to and enjoy them.

    Now they are ages 28, 24 and 20 - they have broken my heart, totally embarrassed me and at this point seems like they hate / despise me. Prostitution, Prison, Drugs, Abusive Relationship, Homelessness, Borrowing money, Stealing - are all apart of their lives making their bad choices my problems to bear.

    I ask, where did I go wrong? All 3 of mine are screwed up. I recently decided, enough was enough for me. No more bail outs, no more mamma to the rescue roles and for my oldest, because she has become so verbally disrespectful, she was told that she can never come back to live with me. Making that decision was hard, still hurts but it was necessary. Now. I can not see my grandkids ( my oldest child children) - and I am left feeling empty and lonely.

    But I am tired, just went through a painful divorce, ridding myself of an abusive husband. Recently, I bought me a 2 seater and a 2 bedroom condo. I am living alone for the 1st time ever in my life and I have peace. I am taking tennis and dance lessons and filling my days up with things that I enjoy. I have stpoppopped attending church, just feel like heaven let me down. But I feel torn, although I am doing what is best for my sanity - is it best for my family as a whole. Meaning, cutting off the financial strings, the midnight bail out calls, the my home being a revolving door, the smart mouth talking and the need to please them ALL.

    They say, Im hard, selfish and judgement - even toxic. Yet they want my money, support and to live off me. I'm tired, and enough is enough - what do you think?

    • LC

      You deserve the best and most loving grown kids. Since you don’t have this, my god you must love yourself. Keep busy. Put yourself first. I dream of the life you have now

      God is there for you so as to be a source of strength. There are many religions and ways of prayer that bring healing and comfort.

      Focus on figuring out why you were with someone abusive and learn how to attract life affirming friends.

      My brother was borderline. I chased his love for decades, begging for approval. Most of the important people in my life are borderline and I had to figure out why I put up with and attract these personalities. Now that I’ve figured it out, I’m going to make friends with low drama people and just keeping things very simple.

    • Pennie
      Can't chat as I have to go to work (UK) but I so feel and hear what you're saying. Please do reply. My daughters 16 & 18 talk to me like I've been on this planet 5 seconds. They want me when it suits them, all sweet natures and thenMore hours later in back to the mum they loathe. Breaks my heart ??
    • Used up
      Mom Needs Advice Am in similar place, raised my 3 girls like you , all 3 are 1 problem away from financial ruin.  Middle daughter had child out of wedlock then married father having another son now after 5 years in process of divorcée, no money for lawyers, just paidMore $2,600 I do not have for custody battle. Plan is to move back w/us in May 2017 w/2 boys...........biggest problem is lack of respect, sullen attitude w/me. Mom covering for her as did when teenager.........oldest  makes an OK living but aint got 2 nickles to rub together, just had to buy her tires cause if she wrecked car here due to weather she could lose her job who do you think would have to make a decision about buying her a car? Youngest is a bit of a free spirit not really a problem, marriage is about done due to disagreements with wife over the ongoing divorce. I was injured and retired on a small pension so wife's insistence to aid financially help daughter may be the final straw............ a divorce will destroy us both financially but  at this point I really do not care, good thing it's against my faith...whats left of it to hurt ones self. Just hanging on hacking thru say by day....Please realize this, You are not alone.
    • OleesaShapowal

      I am soo sorry to hear this!!

      Must be very painful for you... Bit I just admire your wisdom and strength in this situation!!! Divorce abusive husband after many years is heroic! (Personal experience)Finding wisdom to separate yourself from problems of your loved ones is another great challenge!! Wow!

    • RebeccaW_ParentalSupport
      Mom Needs Advice I’m so sorry to hear about your experiences with your children, and I’m glad that you are here.  https://www.empoweringparents.com/article/parental-roles-how-to-set-healthy-boundaries-with-your-child/ are essential for any relationship, including the parent-child relationship.  This doesn’t mean that enforcing these limits is an easy process, though.  I’m glad that you are taking stepsMore to take care of yourself during this time, as that will help you to stick with the boundaries you have set with your kids about not rescuing them anymore.  While natural consequences can be quite painful for kids and parents alike, they can also be effective teachers.  I hope that you will continue to write in and let us know how things are going for you.  Take care.
  • Brady1974

    My son is (26) years old and he's constantly making irresponsible and reckless decisions. Whatever he can do to get attention he does it-good or bad. I'm so disappointed with the decisions he's made/making. He's the oldest and doesn't show to be a role model to anyone. He is constantly talking about the purge, the antichrist, and working like slaves. Just simply no respect for my rules, my house, husband, children or me. He thinks he can come and go all times of the night. Notably, my husband nor I come in after 2:00 am.

    I've tried everything to help me get his life back. However, he's so anger, bitter and entitled that he thinks I owe him. He continues to say he never had a dad he's always had a step dad. Got this reason, I should allow him to be him and love him regardless. Yes, I will always love him but that doesn't mean I have like or agree with what he does. His most recent outlash was tattooing his face. I just don't know who he is anymore.

  • A person

    Can you volunteer at their school or effectively reach them on social media? Having a grandparent/anyone who is supportive Is a Huge Difference to a teenager. They have an innate need to rebel against authority figures and it wouldnt be a terrible thing to use that energy to forge a better relationship. Just use your time wisely so it can withstand scrutiny from their parents.

    Tl:dr

    Use their natural instincts/feelings to help them.

    Source: Was a teen who rebelled into bad things to make parents mad. If their "rebellion" is visiting their grandmother then go you guys.

  • Christine1967
    We have a 30yr old daughter, only child, was loved and cherished her whole life,for yrs. Now she has been an addict on and off drugs,she is very mean has no respect for eithervof us,holds our 2 grandchildren as pawns, i have chosen to have minimal contact with her, iMore cant listen to her lies,and be the person she choses to attack with her words anymore. Its always our fault we were bad parents, but everyone knows how untrue this is,she goes from one person to another with her stories,and it always comes back to us. It breaks my heart to not talk to her,i miss her ,worry about her,but i know its what i need to do.when she is not using and taking her meds, she is the daughter we raised.
  • vic
    I have a 31 yr old daughter and 26 yr old son, both still living at home.I am depressed because they are living life at my expense instead of working toward getting out on their own. my daughter has 3 kids but trying to live life like a teenager. iMore know they are grown but it's hard not to loose hope when they have no priorities about themselves. and my wife is no help, she condones them in their wrong doing.
  • Adult Children Disappointment
    […] “Where Did I Go Wrong?” How to Handle Feeling Disappointment with Your Adult Child – This is easy for most of us when we’re looking at another adult who is not related to us, yet it can easily be blurred when that adult happens to be your child. HaveMore You Stumbled … formerly worked as an Empowering Parents 1-on-1 Coach. […]
  • Ashamed
    I am so sorry there are many in the same situation as myself.  I feel so ashamed of my daughter.  She is an only child who has been loved and adored by me, her dad, and grandparents.  But she is a total selfish brat.  Yes that hurts to say.  SheMore tries so hard to hurt people with her words.  She loves to go on and on about there being no God to her grandmothers and me.  We do not push our beliefs on her but she still feels the need to tell us we are stupid to think God really exists.  She has dropped out of college that was paid for by her father.  Last year her boyfriend graduated college and she moved out of state with him so he could attend medical school.  He is a wonderful guy but she is bad for him,  after going on vacation with his parents  and she went on and on about her no God beliefs (they are Catholic) his parents put the pressure on to break up, I can't say I blame them.  She constantly put them down and told him they are evil and to stay away from them and now he is thinking about not continuing his studies because she says doctors are just money hungry and don't care about people, she is getting bored with him and I think they may have finally broke up.  That is her MO with her friends. She alienates them from their families and convinces them she is the only one capable of making decisions for them, then once they are reliant on her she drops them.  She did this to my nephew and my half sister is very upset because my nephew (who is also an only child and just four months younger than her) really believed she loved him and wanted to be like a sister to him, he has quite college and spent six month in therapy trying to get his life back, he was focused on being a brain surgeon since he was in middle school, but because of my daughter he may never get back in college.  When I think of her I feel so ashamed.  I am a failure as a mother.  So many lives have been ruined because of my daughter.
  • Worriedand scared
    I have a 19 year old daughter who has a learning disability. She never went through that preteen or early teen age stage where she was rude and uncontrollable. She feeds off suggestions and will seek suggestions from others. It use to be me andMore my family but she met a 21 at the time but was really 23 boy who is the worse possible person any girl should date. His mom is rude and disrespectful. His oldest brother is serving a life long sentence. The boyfriend has been doing drugs since high school and I'm not sure how but this boys younger sister has passed. According to my daughters boyfriend mother I should be happy that my daughter is dating this college drop out drug addict who is 23 and stills live home with mommy and not to mention within the past year he has had 7 jobs. My daughter wanted to be an RN but she first had to finish high school. I had to pull her out and homeschool because she went from straight A's to straight F's. She was doing so good until she met this boy. She rather work in a factory. She's lying and doing drugs. She is now rude and disrespectful. She tells her 13 year old sister things that are not appropriate. This all happened over night. No warning at all. Now everything I saw is wrong but yet she will listen to trashy people. The boy told her that she was to fat. She's 5'9 and was weighing 165. Curves in places women died for. Now she's she skinny she flat all over. They are planning her life and she allows it. When do I stop trying to help. They are brainwashing her. When holding conversation with her anyone can tell that she's not mentally 19 but maybe 15 or 16. I even financially cut her off. It's painful to watch her hot glue her shoes together or to have to patch up holes in her clothes yet she rather stay with this boy.
    • dreamteller
      Worriedand scared Apply to be her guardian. We are in a similar circumstance. Good luck to you!
      • Worriedand scared
        Dreamteller. Thank you. I will do that. Good luck to you as well.
  • Grandma W

    My 35 yr old daughter, met, got married and move to a new state with her husband & my Grandaughter in less than 1 yr. She gave up the stability of family living near by and state assistance. She was a single mom for 9 yrs and doing all the right things to get off state assistance.

    They fought all the time in front of the kids( he has a 9 yr old son). He threatened to leave her every week and finally moved out After 4 months of marriage . My daughter cannot afford the rent and has been trying to find a roommate, I am paying for childcare after school but the summer is coming and I have offered to put her in summer camp and stay with Grandma & Grandpa for the summer. We offered to have my daughter move in with us for 3 months to get her life back in order. My fear is, my daughter is making poor decisions and I want my Granddaughter to have stability and not have to worry about getting a roommate to pay the bills. When do I step in and stop just trying to fix things? We have given her money, cars, picked her up at 2 in the morning when her car broke down. Am I helping or hurting the situation? Any suggestions?

    • RebeccaW_ParentalSupport

      Grandma W 

      Thank you for reaching out.  I hear how concerned you

      are about the decisions your daughter is making, as well as the potential

      impact of those choices on your granddaughter.  Ultimately, there are no

      universal rules about how much assistance you should offer to your daughter, or

      for how long.  In the end, those are choices only you can make.  If

      you are feeling uncomfortable with the amount of help you are giving your

      daughter, or you feel as though it is no longer helpful, you have the ability

      to make a different choice. You mention numerous instances of helping your

      daughter and your granddaughter, and I hope you are taking steps to take care

      of yourself as well.  Self-care is an often overlooked, yet crucial part

      of being an effective parent.  Your self-care plan can be anything you

      wish, from calling a supportive friend or family member, to using more

      structured supports such as counseling or support groups.  You might find

      additional assistance through the 211 Helpline as well.  211 is a service

      which connects people with resources in their community, and you can contact

      them by calling 1-800-273-6222 or by visiting their website at http://www.211.org/.  I recognize how difficult this

      situation must be for you, and I wish you and your family all the best moving

      forward.  Take care.

  • farasi59
    My son did something stupid and got thrown in jail for 6 months. At first he called often wanting money, which we did not have. We talked about his situation and how to handle it since he could not manage his financial affairs in jail (he is unmarried andMore lives in another state 1400 miles away). I told him I would do the best I could and he gave me access to his money ( he is a disabled vet on a mention). His girlfriend got hold of his account and spent his money on trips and a new apartment for herself and her special girl friend. My son got mad at me because I cut her off from the account, and paid his bills as we had discussed. Then he accused me of taking his money. I told him I had receipts and notes from every creditor he have covering how his money was spent. He became abusive over the phone so after speaking to an attorney I released his accounts back to him and told his creditors where they could contact him, and that I was no longer going to continue to pay his bills. He was released in March and he got a new phone number and has contacted everyone but me. This is a hurtful situation and I don't know if I should just chalk it up to a learning how to handle people or if I should try to reach out to him. Because of his crime he can not come home because we have a 7 yr old daughter.
  • debroh

    Well, I was feeling badly that my daughter (18) is sabotaging her last semester of high school and that instead of going a excellent university (in another city) she is choosing a mediocre one because she can stay home. We have saved up enough money for her to any school and stay in res. and get a meal plan. I guess she is not ready to leave the nest. But I feel she is avoiding being an adult. She has never had a boyfriend (or girlfriend which ever I don't care) she has never had a job (although I have encouraged her to get one) because she has no money she doesn't go out unless I pay for her evening - which i hesitate to do, so she just sits at home.

    But my daughter seems like a Saint compared to some descriptions below. I feel disappointed that she has no ambition, she will not take risks, she will do the minimum necessary to get by. I tried so hard to provide her with self-esteem,  confidence, opportunity. I feel she is squandering everything. I am letting her make her own choices, she knows I am not happy...still it hurts. The disappointment hurts. My friends accuse me of living vicariously through her, and its true I did not have the chances she does, I did not have the parental support she does and I feel I did not live up to my full potential. But I am still allowed to feel disappointment. I think all of the parents in this comment page are allowed to feel disappointment. You can still love someone and not agree with their choices...but eventually you will stop liking them.

    • Tashka
      I am not sure when you posted your story, but I will respond anyway. I don't try to devalue your experience, but honestly you have nothing to worry about. You have wonderful, sweet, shy girl, who likes her home. It really is okay. And it will change with time. PeopleMore mature at different speeds. I think it is quite alright that she wants to stay close to home. College is always what you make of it, unless it is really well known as a horrible school. Trust me, I went to many universities and community colleges. There were wonderful classes and professors at community colleges and horrible ones in great universities. And the opposite also happened. As long as she gets her degree, nobody really cares where it came from. And you will save a lot of money if she is close to home. Look at the situation from a different angle. Enjoy your time with your daughter. She will not live at home forever. One day she will spread her wings and go to her independent life. And you will miss her. Encourage her to try things, but don't push too much. The job, at least part time, is a must, but the rest is optional and flexible. If I shared my experience with you, you would understand how blessed you really are. But I think you already read some stories here, and it opened your eyes somewhat. Maybe your daughter is not a saint, but she surely is much better than some kids in other stories. Definitely better than my own daughter, who hates me and doesn't want to know me. I wish you the best and sincerely hope that things will work out in your family.
  • Asadmom
    My daughters live a few hours away and want me to move closer to them and my grandchildren. I've lived away for several years now and not once have they been to visit me. It is I who always have visited them. I'm saddened by there dismissal of my lifeMore choice away from them. I do however miss them terribly and my grandchildren and have planned to relocate to be near them. ...leaving my bf of 5 years behind. We will continue to see one another and have a long distance relationship. That has been my plan. Now it is days away and I'm doubting the whole thing. Why can't I stay where I am and the girls could visit me and I them. This way we would see more of one another. I'm changing my mind at the last minute I know but shouldn't I do what's best for me ?? Or should I do what's best for them?? Oh dear. I don't know. I do miss them. I simply feel I put the effort in and not them. What does anybody else think????
    • Justamom
      I know your post was a couple weeks back so I hope you see this post. I think (not saying my opinions are the right thing) that they have shown exactly how things will be if you move there. If they can't be bothered to visit, they probably will treatMore you poorly once you are there. I'm not sure what's happened with today's youth. My parents always made sure we saw grandparents and other family, as did I. When did all of this change? I feel for you to have to make that choice. But you need to do what's best for YOU. It may sound selfish but nobody else will look out for you. Don't give up a happy life for a miserable one. Good luck!
    • loshla
      I know your post was a couple weeks back so I hope you see this post. I think (not saying my opinions are the right thing) that they have shown exactly how things will be if you move there. If they can't be bothered to visit, they probably will treatMore you poorly once you are there. I'm not sure what's happened with today's youth. My parents always made sure we saw grandparents and other family, as did I. When did all of this change? I feel for you to have to make that choice. But you need to do what's best for YOU. It may sound selfish but nobody else will look out for you. Don't give up a happy life for a miserable one. Good luck!
    • Asadmom
      Live for yourself. Your children do
  • Asadmom
    Amom
  • JustinFireflyClarke
    My elderly parents visited my 48 year old brother's house recently and he offered them no food or a cup of tea. They were starving after the long drive to visit him and hinted that we would like to eat but in the end they were too proud to askMore so we left after just an hour. They left feeling bewildered and not knowing what to say to him. Is there any way they can communicate to him that he needs to up his hospitality game? It seems like a recipe for an argument to bring this up to him?
  • Justamom

    I don't even know where to begin. I have three adult biological children and life is SO not EVER what I thought my family would become. My two sons(same dad who is a loser) in their late 20s. A just 20 year old daughter with my husband who I've been with/married to for 23 yrs. my husband accepted my kids as his own, as I did his son-who is a year older than my oldest son. Well his son became the model adult, for which I am proud. My two sons became heroin addicts and are living with my husband and I. The oldest has gotten help and is now on maintenance meds holds a job and pays rent. Yea! That's a win. But I still want him to move out. We are always butting heads. Most of the time we argue and he is very rude to me. Never my husband. It really seems he has hated me since he was little. No matter how often I tried to get close.

    Well then there is my other son. He has severe depression along with being an addict. He hasn't worked in almost 9 months and now can't pay for his dope habit and sits all day in his room.

    He was arrested and spent nine months in jail right after he turned 18. When that happened I did not help him. He was in another state and we let him pay the piper.

    Most of the time he doesn't even talk. He has a temper and becomes suicidal when we confront him about things. I've signed him up for a Medicaid plan. He's finally gotten an appointment for a psychiatrist after this last blowup. Both sons have contracted hepatitis from their drug use

    Now my daughter. She and her dad haven't ever gotten along. He spent most of her life away for work. Never did he do anything to warrant her feelings. He always loved her. But as her 18th birthday approached, she insisted she was leaving. Not yet done with school mind you. That's another thing, she NEVER did poorly in school. Straight A's and ended up graduating with honors. Accepted to a top ten college with a partial scholarship.

    So the day before her 18th birthday she decided she was leaving. She made arrangements to live with a friend from school and her parents. It absolutely killed me. Well that lasted a couple months and while gone she met a guy and decided to get married after knowing him fo 6 weeks. He was the same age as her. They weren't going to live together til after graduating. She called us and asked to come home and we let her. She'd be leaving for school shortly anyway.

    So she and her husband moved to the family housing on campus and she went her freshman year hating every minute of it. She decided that she wasn't going back to "that" school. They moved to a different apt. They had taken on all of the responsibility of living out there to begin with, so we had no say in what they did. Now she works and he's going to school. She claims that when he's finished she will go back. I hope so.

    But to make matters worse they are both saying they are transgender. This was a complete shock to all of us. Not that we wouldn't accept it. She had never shown any signs that she was not comfortable in who she was. I am so confused because she was such a beautiful young woman and was always "boy crazy". She chopped off her long beautiful hair and dresses like a boy.

    I love all my children and accept them all no matter what. If 15 years ago anyone had told me this would be my life I'd've said they were WRONG!!

    I always thought I would never allow a child to steal from me or treat me poorly and stay in my home(the way my sons dad did to his mom). Anyone who says "I would kick them out" or says I should, hasn't had a child become an addict. Because it's not that easy. I sure wish it were.

    On top of all of that my husband has two other older kids that have their own baggage and issues. And I have a physical disability as well. Life is a mess!

  • dikasmk10
    Before I start i just want to say sorry because English is not my native language so pls mind if there mistake,I'm not a parent, and im still 15 years old boy and i keep disappointing my dad. I'm actually a slob and I never do anything except when toldMore to (like cleaning my motorcycle,my bathroom,etc) I even failed to enter good high school because my grade is kind of bad,and my father keep yelling me each time I make small mistake, and the most sad part is when he say that "What have I do to deserve a son like this." and that broke my feeling the most, that make me afraid talking to my dad. I already know all of that is my fault and i afraid of changing because I afraid of my dad.I know that this blog is for parents,but after I read your blog I believed that you guys can help me solved my problem,so that I can make my dad happy,Im sorry if i write too long.
    • DeniseR_ParentalSupport

      dikasmk10

      I’m sorry to hear you are having a hard time talking to your

      dad. While our site is focused on helping parents, there is a website you may

      not be aware of that is focused on helping adolescents, teens, and young

      adults. http://www.yourlifeyourvoice.org/Pages/home.aspx

      offers help and support several different ways, through online support, by

      phone at 1-800-448-3000, as well as e-mail, text, and chat.  I encourage

      you to visit their site to see what they have to offer. Good luck to you and

      your family moving forward. Take care.

  • DoniDarkos

    Do you guys have the equivalent of your site but dedicated for the young ones willing to seek improvement? I can find myself in this article and in some situations of others.....

    So it would be great if you have a sister site or just articles aimed at the young adults themselves :)

    • DeniseR_ParentalSupport

      @DoniDarkos

      You ask a great question. Unfortunately, we don’t currently

      have a site that addresses questions and concerns young adults might have.

      There is a website available for teens and young adults that you might find

      helpful – http://www.yourlifeyourvoice.org/.

      We appreciate you writing in. Take care.

  • AniaK
    How do you deal with a daughter who seems to lie about everything and you feel you cant believe anything she says.
    • DeniseR_ParentalSupport

      AniaK

      Lying can be a big button issue for a lot of parents. When a child lies to you,

      it can leave you feeling hurt and betrayed. This is true regardless of your

      child’s age. It can help to recognize that lying isn’t really a moral issue or

      a character flaw; it’s a reflection of poor problem solving skills. We have

      several articles that offer tips for dealing with this frustrating behavior.

      Two in particular you may find helpful are https://www.empoweringparents.com/article/i-caught-my-child-lying-how-to-manage-sneaky-behavior-in-kids/ & https://www.empoweringparents.com/article/kids-and-lying-does-your-child-twist-the-truth/ We appreciate you writing in.

      Take care.

  • DeniseR_ParentalSupport

    KC3

    What a tough position to be in as a parent and grandparent.

    Sometimes situations such as you describe come down to a judgment call in

    regard to the boundaries you wish to establish. You and your daughter are both

    adults and have the right to make whatever choices you see fit, even if the

    choices she makes may have a negative impact on her children. Unless there is

    abuse or neglect occurring, there may not be much you can do about how she

    chooses to raise her children. If you believe there is neglect, you may want to

    contact https://www.childhelp.org/, an organization

    committed to protecting children from abuse and neglect. They have a 24/7

    helpline that will connect you with a counselor. All you have to do is call

    them at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) and you can talk with someone about

    your situation and concerns. They may be able to help you identify the next

    step and walk you through it. You may decide you do want to move away and

    separate yourself from your daughter and her choices. Or, you may decide that

    you need to be close to your grandchildren to assure yourself they are being

    cared for properly. Ultimately that is a decision only you can make. Good luck

    to you and your family moving forward. We appreciate you writing in and sharing

    your story. Take care.

    • Grandma W
      I am new to this site, and this is very close to my situation. I am concerned that my daughter is very self centered and her 9 year old daughter, who is not in physical danger, but emotional distress. She is a smart, intuitive little girl and herMore mom tells her not to tell Grandma (me) certain things so I dont get upset. She has overnight visits her dad who says bad things about her mom and was in Prison for 3 years. She doesnot have a set bedtime schedule and was late for school about 35 times in one year. I am rambling, this has all come to a head, because my daughter took her out of school and moved to a new state with her husband of 4 months and now he left her and she cannot afford the rent. When do I step in? I have been trying to help my daughter out financially and trying to be supportive. But, I don't think she is capable of doing the same for her daughter.
  • Lalarod07
    My oldest daughter is 21 years old. For the last 5 years she has been going down the wrong path. She started using drugs heavily, got arrested, did not want to go to college and couldn't hold a job for too long. She lost her apartment, her car and movMore d back in with us. As a mother even though I feel so hurt and disappointed I am always there to support her. Even when she offends me and tells me I've never done anything for her ever! I recently found out she has been dancing at a strip club to support her habit. The people she associates with are no good. She regularly heads to social media to post derogatory posts about me. Sometimes I think she does this purposely because friends and family can see it. I honestly believe she truly hates me and even wish I was dead. I've already learned to accept that my first and only daughter turned out this way. I did not raise her that way. I don't drink or smoke and she grew up in a house full of love. I sacrificed so much to provide for all my children and I don't know how to handle this situation. Another concern I have is that my other 2 children see everything and suffer too. They see her coming home high and not going to school or to work. I know it sounds terrible but I really don't feel comfortable in my own home when she's here. She's a compulsive liar and has been becoming aggressive in the last 2 years. I've taken her to a therapist but it has not worked. She's very manipulative and knows what to tell the therapist and worst of all I think he believes her. This entire situation is making me physically ill. I don't know what to do anymore!
  • adellmarie
    How can I accept the fact that my 21 yr old son has just been hired as a bouncer in a Nude strip club?  I know he has to make his own choices, but I don't have to like it.  How do I get over this feeling of anger thatMore he is going to be in an environment I don't approve of.
    • Darlene EP

      adellmarie 

      You are absolutely right when

      you say your son is going to make his own choices but you don’t have to like

      it. You certainly don’t have to like it or agree with it, but the unfortunate

      truth is he is an adult and can work where he wants to even if it is against

      your wishes. The best way to work towards accepting his choices is recognizing

      that you don’t have control over them and what he decides to do now at 21 years

      old, is not going to determine what he will do as a career or determine the

      person he will become. Most young adults make poor choices, but that is how

      they learn and grow and decide what they do and don’t want in life. Give him

      the space to do that, while you take some time for yourself to work through and

      accept your current circumstances. Thank you for writing in. Hang in there; you will both get

      through this.

  • Lisa838
    My daughter has been on a roller coaster of failures and small successes for the last 5 years. We went the route of therapists and medication, college, no college, being arrested, drugs etc. While I did everything I thought I should do as a parent, I haveMore spent the last year or so focusing on what is best to do for me and the family. We now only help when it makes sense, we don't offer help or guidance unless asked and we have serious boundaries in place, my daughter is still making mistakes and I pray that one day the light bulb will go on, but until that time I am at peace with myself. I was and am a good mother. I do get sad at times but I know I would be sadder if I kept trying to "fix" things, because I would be set up for constant disappointment. I have accepted that she is on her own journey and that journey is up to her.
  • Willow173
    My almost 22 year old daughter just informed me that 2 of her 4 grades this semester are C's.  She is going into her senior year in a very competitive field and this is all she can seem to manage--notwithstanding the fact that she only works 14 hours a weekMore with 12 hours of classes.  $27,000 has been spent on her education--no grants, no loans no scholarships--just good old grandma and mom and dad paying for this phone in effort. Over the past 3 years, this beautiful, smart, athletic, musically talented girl has gained 25 lbs, stopped playing her instrument (1st chair all through high school with thousands of dollars in music lessons), phones in her academic effort and is so out of shape she cannot walk or exercise because she says her feet hurt too much.  She lives with her 26 yr old boyfriend in college housing--the place is a mess most of the time.   I paid for a therapist which she stopped going to when it was time to start making some changes. I got her to agree to go back but they refused to see her because she had missed so many session the last time she was there.  The doctor put her on antidepressants which she stopped taking because she said it made her too stupid.  She wants to play on her phone (her 5th in 3 years because she always manages to lose or damage them), watch  videos on the internet, post on social media and watch Netflix.  She was not accepted back at 3 seasonal jobs she has had in the past--one of which she received extensive training at (they would rather train someone else).  She has a job now in food service and was just passed up for a promotion to crew leader--losing out to people who had been there less time than she has.  Of course her solution is to quit.  Its never her fault.  Everyone else is to blame.  I am mean because I tell her that she seems to have stopped caring and trying.  I read some of the other posts.  At least some other parents are together on their approach to their adult children.  My husband says he feels sorry for her.  He tells her everything is okay and not to worry about it.  Instead of encouraging her to make some changes in her life he babies her and makes it seem like her behavior isn't  in any way responsible for the negative changes which have occurred over the past several years. He says all "kids" are like this.  He says he hears people talking about it all the time. I am angry with both of them most of the time.  I just don't understand why a girl who had it all just decided to throw it all away.  I worked so hard to prepare and position her to take on the world.  Encouraged, empowered, supported, championed.  It seems it was all for nothing.  She really just doesn't care and doesn't get why I am so upset.

Responses to questions posted on EmpoweringParents.com are not intended to replace qualified medical or mental health assessments. We cannot diagnose disorders or offer recommendations on which treatment plan is best for your family. Please seek the support of local resources as needed. If you need immediate assistance, or if you and your family are in crisis, please contact a qualified mental health provider in your area, or contact your statewide crisis hotline.

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