Coaching Episode: Finding Healthy Ways to Let Go of Expectations and Nagging While Affirming Your Child's Choices

ABOUT THE EPISODE:
One of the hardest things to surrender in parenting is our own dreams for our kids and accepting what they’re choosing for their lives as they gain independence. In this very relatable coaching episode, Karolina shares how a combination of complex learning difficulties, feeling socially isolated, and the pandemic all created a perfect storm for her son to have escalating behavioral and substance use issues.

While Karolina’s son was able to attend wilderness therapy and residential treatment, you’ll hear how challenging it was to watch him choose to live on his own after receiving so much support from his family. Through our conversation, Karolina recognizes just how resourceful and determined her son is, and how her nagging tendency may be pushing him away rather than motivating him. I offer her a challenge to detach in a healthy way, avoid jumping to worst-case scenarios, and still leave the door open for her son to accept support on his terms.

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• Some early educational and social challenges that make children vulnerable to misusing drugs and alcohol
• How Karolina and her husband had to make difficult concessions to stay in relationship with their son
• Why we have to commit to recognizing and celebrating our kids’ strengths
• How to tap into your child’s interests to foster deeper connection
• Why we have to stay present and resist the need to “play out the movie” of our kids’ lives

This podcast is part of a nonprofit called Hopestream Community
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