“As long as the factors that led your child to create distance remain in place, he or she will not be able to settle into an easy, relaxed, loving, and close relationship with you.”
“What you do in response to estrangement very much matters and can make the difference between a prolonged estrangement and a healed one.”
When children grow into adults, the nature of the parent-child relationship changes as well.
On this episode, I talk with Tina Gilbertson, psychotherapist and author of Reconnecting with your Estranged Child. Her book is a quality, comprehensive resource and guide for parents who are ready and wanting to heal this rift that’s come between themselves and their adult child. Throughout our conversation, Tina offers profound compassion for parents and children with this type of strained relationship, along with tips on how to heal. She explains why it’s essential to allow your child space to grow, why they may have felt the estrangement was necessary, and how parents can reflect on the reasons why this estrangement occurred.
About Tina Gilbertson:
Located in Denver, CO, Tina works as a psychotherapist, speaker, and author of the book Reconnecting with your Estranged Child. She specializes in estrangement counseling, particularly for parents rejected by adult children. In 2019, Tina co-founded the Reconnection Club, where she offers education, community, and support to help estranged parents repair their estranged relationships with their adult children.
Some Questions I Ask:
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
Connect with Tina Gilbertson:
Reconnecting with your Estranged Adult Child by Tina Gilbertson
"I value color as a way to communicate and as a way to share ideas and be able to feel movement of emotion and energy in your body."
One of the biggest hurdles of being a parent is helping our kids fall asleep at night.
As parents, it’s necessary to find the right tools to help kids learn to relax, process, and be with their big feelings – and many parents are still learning these skills as well.
On this episode, I talk with Susanne Benton, who has this seemingly magical ability to help kids relax and fall asleep. She creates bedtime meditations for kids on Insight Timer, and seamlessly weaves in magic, beauty, and wonder into the stories she tells. Susanne shares her behind-the-scenes process for writing these meditations for kids, how she comes up with the right stories, and why she emphasizes the importance of imagination and color.
About Susanne Benton:
Susanne is a mother, step-mother, and grandmother with a degree in Child and Family Studies from the University of Wisconsin Madison. She opened her own daycare called Magical Child Family Daycare, where her goal became to create an environment in which children felt welcomed, challenged, and supported in their unique growth. Susanne also developed a thriving practice as a massage therapist over the last 12 years.
Four years ago, Susanne combined her bodywork, mindfulness, and relaxation skills with her experiences with children and families, and with that began writing bedtime stories and recording bedtime meditations. She loves sharing resources for both parents and kids that make falling asleep easier each night.
Some Questions I Ask:
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
Connect with Susanne Benton: