For starters, receiving a heartfelt apology from your parent can be validating and healing.
Fostering a healthy dynamic in this new phase of life does take some work.
Clear communication, respect and empathy from all parties is essential.
Below are six powerful things parents can say to their adult children that would improve their relationship.
In some cases, those choices posed some challenges to their mental health.
Adding a How can we work through this?
to the apology can make it even more impactful.
This can be for a lot of reasons, of course, some of them personal and others cultural.
There can be a lot of pressure to save face.
I think its incredibly healing for Black families to try and normalize parents apologizing to their children when appropriate.
Its certainly not the norm, but hopefully it becomes more common in time.
And there is grief in never knowing that punch in of relationship with their parents.
I was in survival mode.
Talking about everything they had going on at that time can provide some useful context and understanding.
They may not have had the keen awareness of theiremotionsor the communication skills we expect of parents today.
Im really proud of you.
This has propelled many of us with some confidence and anxiety about how well were doing.
Your life path is different than mine, but I support you.
Perhaps it feels more familiar, conventional or stable to them.
Hearing them say they respect and support your decision to live life on your own terms is powerful.
It conveys parental acceptance and validation, fostering a sense of empowerment and emotional well-being.
Do you want advice, or would you prefer for me to listen?
Adult parents have to remember that I, too, have bumped my head.
I, too, have made bad decisions, Glover Tawwab said.
It is now to listen and observe and ask you if you want some feedback.
Im still here for you.
The job of parenting isnt over when children reach adulthood.
The relationship just changes, Caraballo said.
