The Detachment Wall: How to Let Go of Your Adult Children
Some of us moms have a problem with our attachment to our children, to the point where the bond can become unhealthy.
Can we love our children but not let their choices or behavior make us crazy? Is some detachment actually a good idea?
Is Detachment a Wall?
The idea of detaching from a person can seem terrifying. But is there a way to practice healthy detachment?
Another way of thinking about it is this – when we live detached, we are not placing a wall between us and others. Instead, we are examining our own expectations and dependencies.
With those in perspective, we are freer to love another person because the focus is shifted to them and is not solely on us.
With our adult children, though we love them unconditionally, we try to satisfy unmet needs in us:
- Our need to be needed.
- Our desire to nurture someone.
- Our desire to see that our work and love produces an effect – a child who loves us back.
What we often do is keep a picture in our minds of our child and how they will fulfill these needs and desires for us. What happens when that child rejects us? In my case, and for many other moms, we completely freak out!
What Went Wrong
When we are ‘good mothers,’ we begin to define ourselves by our mothering. While this can be positive and can encourage us to fulfill our role responsibly, by totally adopting that definition we can forget all the other aspects of ‘me.’
When we are our role, when that role is challenging, or when that role is over, what is left of ‘us’?
In dealing with estranged children, we still tend to look within ourselves. We ask ourselves what we did wrong. We obsess over every interaction and question whether we could have responded differently.
Read HOW TO DIVORCE YOUR ADULT CHILDREN AND RESTORE YOUR SANITY.
Also read HOW TO DEAL WITH HAVING AN ESTRANGED ADULT CHILD.
This Monday-morning quarterbacking neglects some basic facts about humans:
You Can’t Control Other People
We surely have influence over our children, but we do not mold them like clay. When they don’t turn out the way we planned, we neglect this fundamental truth.
The Power of Letting Go: How to drop everything that’s holding you back on Amazon
You Can’t Rely on Your Children for Your Happiness
We may have looked ahead to our golden years and seen ourselves surrounded by loving grandchildren. This neglects another fundamental truth: People change. If we rely on other people for our happiness, we may be disappointed.
My source of joy and happiness is an inside job, not dependent on the actions of others.
Find Your Joy: A Powerful Self-Care Journal to Help You Thrive on Amazon
Your Emptiness Is Yours to Fill Up
Your adult children don’t exist solely to fill the void of your unmet needs. Do you need the love and admiration of children and grandchildren to be happy? Perhaps meeting your own needs by loving yourself sufficiently will bring more peace and satisfaction.
Complete People Can Love Completely
I remember well the first time my young daughter gushed about a new boyfriend, saying, “He completes me!” We had many long talks deep into the night discussing how love can be real and true only when two people who are complete within themselves come together.
True love rejects the notion that the other exists solely to please you. True love is therefore not threatened when the other displeases you, because the love is not dependent on the other fulfilling your needs.
Having the other person conform to our desires so we will love them is manipulation, not love. Focusing on “what’s in it for me” is a death knell for true love.
Yet, as mothers, we sometimes forget that in our relating to our adult children. When we can view them with some detachment, when our reactions to them are no longer based on expectations or being dependent on them, we are then able to love them fully and freely.
Do not look at your adult child as completing you, giving you a fulfilled life, or meeting your needs. When you set those aside, you begin to understand love.
What to Do Now?
If you are a hurting mama, laid low in the dust by the estrangement of an adult child, what should you do now?
- Examine your feelings and thoughts. What does it feel like when attachment hurts? What thoughts are you thinking at the time? Can you begin to think differently?
- Be with others and love them, but don’t look to them as your source of happiness.
- Learn to be alone, not lonely. Loving ourselves enough that we can be our best companions is healthy.
- Quit blaming yourself for the state of the relationship. You didn’t and couldn’t control the outcome. Why beat yourself up?
Read WHEN PEOPLE ASK ABOUT MY ESTRANGED CHILDREN… WHAT CAN I SAY?
Here are a few more ideas to help you heal and let go.
- Journal – Writing or sketching your feelings and thoughts puts you in the moment and helps to get you out of your thoughts. Buy yourself a pretty journal and write in it whenever you feel overwhelmed, sad, or lonely.
- Find other mothers in the same boat – Join Facebook groups and share your stories with other women who are going through the same thing. Lift each other up and remember not to fall into the trap of wallowing and continuous negativity.
- Seek counseling or therapy – Look into talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy. Online websites like Better Help and Talk Space offer versatile and affordable access to therapists and counselors.
- Read empowering books such as:
Self-Love Workbook for Women: Release Self-Doubt, Build Self-Compassion, and Embrace Who You Are by Megan Logan on Amazon.
When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chödron on Amazon
Keep Moving by Maggie Smith on Amazon
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz on Amazon
Mind Over Mood by Dennis Greenberger and Christine A. Padesky on Amazon.
When we are not attached to any outcome in our relationships, then we can be free and happy. When the state of our internal life is more important than our external circumstances – there lies peace.
The Role of Self-Identity Beyond Motherhood
Transitioning from an identity centered around motherhood to a broader, more self-focused role can feel overwhelming. However, it also offers an opportunity for self-discovery, growth, and renewal.
Rediscovering Hobbies and Passions
Many women set aside personal interests while raising children, often prioritizing their family’s needs over their own. Reclaiming these hobbies—or discovering new ones—can reignite joy and fulfillment.
- Revisit Old Interests: Think about activities you loved before becoming a mother. Whether it’s painting, reading, crafting, or playing an instrument, these pursuits can bring a sense of familiarity and comfort.
- Explore New Passions: Now is the time to try something you’ve always been curious about. Sign up for a cooking class, start a garden, or get into photography.
- Volunteer for a Cause: Consider dedicating your time to a cause you care about. Volunteering not only gives back to the community but also provides a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
Read Is Volunteering for You After 60? These 10 Benefits May Be the Boost You Need.
Building Friendships and Community
Cultivating a strong network of friends and engaging with the community can foster a sense of belonging.
- Reconnect with Old Friends: Reach out to friends you’ve lost touch with over the years. A simple coffee date or phone call can rekindle meaningful relationships.
- Join Clubs or Groups: Look for book clubs, walking groups, art classes, or other community activities. Websites like Meetup.com or local community centers can be great resources for finding like-minded individuals.
- Participate in Social Events: Attend workshops, community events, or cultural gatherings to meet new people and expand your social circle.
Setting Personal Goals
With newfound time and freedom, setting personal goals can provide direction and a sense of achievement. Whether they’re small daily challenges or ambitious long-term dreams, goals can give life renewed purpose.
- Learn a New Skill: Enroll in a class to learn something new—whether it’s a language, technology, or a craft. Online platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or MasterClass offer a wide range of affordable courses.
Read 8 Top-Rated Free Online Classes for Women Over 50.
- Travel to New Places: Explore the world or visit destinations you’ve always dreamed of seeing. Solo travel or joining a group tour can be an empowering experience that broadens your perspective.
Read The Ultimate Guide to Solo Travel for Women over 50 .
- Start a Passion Project: Write a book, start a blog, or create a small business based on something you’re passionate about. These endeavors can be deeply rewarding and provide an outlet for creativity.
Read Memoir Made Easy: Everyone Has a Story.
- Health and Fitness Goals: Focus on your physical well-being by adopting a new fitness routine, practicing yoga, or even training for a local 5K run or walk.
Read 9 Yoga Retreats for Women Over 50
Fostering a Deeper Connection with Yourself
This detachment from your adult children is an opportunity to reconnect with who you are at your core.
- Practice Mindfulness and Reflection: Spend time meditating or simply reflecting on what brings you happiness and fulfillment.
- Celebrate Your Accomplishments: Take time to honor what you’ve achieved—not just as a mother but as an individual. Reflect on the skills and strengths you’ve developed over the years.
- Create a Vision for the Future: Imagine how you want this next chapter of your life to look, with or without your adult children. Create a vision board or list of aspirations to keep yourself motivated and focused.
Resources for Long-Term Support
Letting go of the mothering role and redefining your relationship with your adult children can be a challenging journey. Because you are not alone and many other mothers are going through the same thing, there are numerous resources available to provide guidance, encouragement, and community support.
Podcasts for Parenting Adult Children and Self-Healing
Podcasts offer a convenient and accessible way to gain insights, hear relatable stories, and receive expert advice. Here are some highly rated podcasts to consider.
- The SelfWork Podcast by Dr. Margaret Rutherford: Focused on emotional health and self-healing, this podcast addresses topics like overcoming guilt, grief, and building self-worth.
- Dear Sugars with Cheryl Strayed and Steve Almond: This advice podcast touches on issues of estrangement, family dynamics, and emotional resilience.
- Unlocking Us by Brené Brown: With a focus on vulnerability, courage, and relationships, this podcast can help listeners gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their loved ones.
YouTube Channels Focused on Family Relationships and Self-Care
Visual learners can benefit from the wealth of knowledge shared on YouTube. These channels provide tips and encouragement for improving family dynamics and focusing on personal growth.
- Sally Harris- Moms of Estranged Adult Kids Expert: Provides compassionate guidance, practical advice, and empowering strategies to help mothers navigate the challenges of estrangement and rebuild their sense of self.
- Meditative Mind: Provides guided meditations and calming music to help with stress management and emotional healing.
The Holistic Psychologist by Dr. Nicole LePera: Shares insights on self-healing, personal boundaries, and creating healthier relationships.
Read PARENTING ADULT CHILDREN CAN BE AGONY.
Also, MY ADULT CHILDREN CUT ME OUT OF THEIR LIFE.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Do you still find it hard to let go of your adult children? Or, do you still worry about them and take care of them more than you think you should? Please join the conversation below.
Hello All my 1st time ever seeking such a wonderful article and so grateful I did.Mom of 4 sons 3 living and all adults 26 and older.I am so glad to have learned through this article that I am not needed to be my sons rescuer. I always felt I had to make it better for them emotionally as well as financially yet, I don’t and I can just listen without giving advice just listen.Oh thank you dear one for this new found 61 year old Mothers new way of seeing her grown adult sons. You rock so big time.
I loved reading this!
Just for fun, I wanted to share a “teachable moment” story with you. When my son was in high school a young woman asked him to the prom. She was cute, very smart, and on the gymnastics team. He basically put her on hold for a few weeks until he heard back from a pretty, popular and rather buxom cheerleader, who eventually accepted his offer. The first girl then discovers why he declined her offer, taps him on the shoulder one day when he was at his locker and says, “So….you were just stringing me along, huh? I was not your plan B!” Thwack!! She slapped his face and walked off.
Despite his bruised ego and sore cheek, he got no sympathy from this Mom. In fact, I told him to apologize to her, and he did. She is now a successful attorney. I’ve often teased him about choosing the wrong gal. lol!
Interesting little footnote – there was a female teacher whom he knew well who was in the near vicinity when it happened. She walked by in the immediate aftermath, while he was standing there alone, rubbing his cheek and feeling quite embarrassed. She simply stopped for a moment, smiled and said something like, “don’t worry, you’ll work through it”. I thought that was classy. It showed confidence in him to fix things with the young woman. I love the sisterhood component there as well, since the teacher deferred to the girl’s judgement that a slap was fully warranted for this transgression, without the teacher knowing the details. We women have to stick together :)
I’m a 52 year old mom of two beautiful girls. We have a very close family. Anyone who has ever been around our family admires how close and loving we are. We are always in each other’s business and it’s always been like that. My oldest, stunning, smart, and morally stable daughter began having difficulties in her marriage. When she was at her weakest point, she met a married man with three very young children. He and her began emotionally supporting one another. I suspected it for a long time and currently am keeping her secret from the son-in-law I care a lot about. This isn’t who she is. I believe she and the man she has fallen for are completely addicted to the attention they are both receiving from one another. We’ve held a family intervention about how we feel about what she is doing. It’s clear the secret has not gotten out and she is completely devoted to this man and how he makes her feel. He lives with his wife, but in the basement. They have both now officially “separated” from their spouses.
Her father and I are hurt by the lies, deception, and secrets that continue to take place. Our son in law is clueless. Our family knows nothing. She says he is worth all the pain that lies ahead. As her parents, what is the right thing to do? What is best for her? What is the right thing to do? How to handle this going forward? I don’t want to lose my daughter, and I don’t want to be in the middle of these lies and deceit. Any advice is appreciated.
I am a paternal grandma who lives far away from my son and his family. I go see them when they are available and we FaceTime… But, I miss them so much it has broken my heart and taken away my joy..I don’t want to do anything anymore. I have done everything people suggest… But nothing seems to fix how much I miss them.
I’ve noticed that children born around 1988 are the ones thinking they are entitled. What could have been going on in those years to cause such a high number to be this way? Like to know if anyone else has picked up on this. A different perspective could help.
Ruby