When Your Estranged Child Starts Coming Back, Don't Do This

Your estranged adult child is talking to you again—but the walls are still up. What do you do now? In this episode of The Sally Harris Show, I'm answering a mom whose daughter has started attending family gatherings again after a year of no contact. Her daughter is cordial, but distant. She gives short answers, talks mostly with her sibling, and doesn't seem ready to let Mom back in. So how do you move forward when your adult child has reopened the door—but only a little? One of the biggest mistakes we can make during early reconnection is trying to rush the relationship back to where it used to be. When you've spent months or years hoping your estranged son or daughter would come back, it's natural to look for signs of progress. But your adult child may be looking for signs of progress in you, too. In this episode, we'll talk about: • Why small steps after family estrangement still matter • How to respond when your adult child is cordial but emotionally distant • Why you shouldn't make every interaction a test of the relationship • How to stay warm without chasing connection • What to do when your child talks freely with other family members but barely speaks to you • Why rebuilding trust after estrangement can take time • How to give God room to work when you can't see what's happening If your estranged adult child has recently reached out, started texting again, returned to family gatherings, or begun allowing limited contact, don't rush it. Reconciliation rarely happens all at once. Sometimes the next faithful step is simply creating a different experience with you—one without pressure, desperation, punishment, or expectations. A year ago, she wasn't coming. Today, she's in the room. Don't overlook what God may be doing because it doesn't look like the relationship you've been praying for yet. If you're a mom struggling with an estranged or difficult relationship with your adult child and you need help knowing what your next step should be, I'd love to support you through coaching.   If you're feeling ready for support and want to learn more about working together, I invite you to start with a short application. From there, you'll receive next steps to book your Heart-to-Heart Consultation. Start here: https://www.sally-harris.com/H2Happ   BE A CALLER ON THE SALLY HARRIS SHOW email: [email protected]    EMPOWER MOM QUIZ: www.sally-harris.com/EmpowerMom    CONNECT WITH SALLY HARRIS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/sallyharriscoach/ FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/coachsallyharris WEBSITE | https://www.sally-harris.com