Parents, Does Your Adult Child Still Deserve Your Love and Support?
Some parents believe that after the age of 18, that their children no longer need them...at all.
Life is full of varying experiences that help shape us into the people we become, but life isn't our only teacher. For many of us, our first teachers were our parents.
The storybook tale is that parents love their children unconditionally, and will always be there to help offer guidance and support. Unfortunately for many, that was never the case, and for others that stopped on their 18th birthday.
If you're not sure how to show support for your adult child, then I have 10 easy ways to make that happen.
- Share not only your wisdom, but mistakes as well
- Set healthy boundaries
- Show support for their personal choices
- Invest time with them
- Make sure they know they matter
- Encourage their sense of adventure and dreams by asking about their future
- Listen when they share how they feel and show empathy
- Express thanks and appreciation
- Converse on an adult level
- Recognize and respect their opinions
Bonus: Don't forget important dates in their life!
My boyfriend recently celebrated his 28th birthday, but both of his parents forgot the occasion. This isn't the only disappointment he's experienced with them, but it definitely was an experience that really crushed him.
I'm not implying that parents are perfect people, or that they can't make mistakes, but completely forgetting when you brought a life into the world is pretty harsh.
As previously stated, some parents think that after 18, their child should be completely independent and that they're no longer needed. Honestly, I think that's just silly. If you're a parent who served as a base for your child's life, why would you rescind that support?