225. "Protecting themselves from what?"

One of the hardest things to understand if you didn't abuse your child or children, is that their estrangement may still be a way of protecting themselves. Although there are estranged adult children with horrific stories of abuse and neglect, they are not the only ones creating distance from parents and family. Parents of all backgrounds, temperaments, disciplinary styles and socioeconomic levels are being held at arm's length by adult children who were not abused, and yet are motivated by self-protection. They're not lying. They just might be talking about factors that are all but invisible to you, and even to other family members. In this cornerstone two-part episode (Part 2 releases June 15, 2026), you'll learn about relationship dynamics that may be unfamiliar or challenging, that could contribute to your adult child's going no-contact or low-contact. Once you understand what they're protecting themselves from, you can begin the work of reducing the impact of those factors, and healing your relationship. For much more evidence-based information and tools to repair the parent-adult child relationship, read host Tina Gilbertson's book, Reconnecting With Your Estranged Adult Child:  https://amzn.to/2ZhetMe Reconnection Club members can discuss this and every episode in the General Discussion forum inside the Reconnection Club. Not a member yet? Learn more and join: https://reconnectionclub.com Follow Tina Gilbertson on Substack: https://tinagilbertson.substack.com