Adult Child Struggling? 3 Tips to Help Them Regain Their Ground

As a parent, you know the signs of your child struggling. Whether they are biting their lip like they did when they were four or they suddenly clam up when you ask a simple question, you can tell exactly when it is time to step in with some guidance. During early adulthood, your child will go through tremendous change as they embark on a career, start a family, and establish their independence, and many of these life events can be fraught with insecurity. Since you want your adult child to have the best launch into adulthood, here are four ways to help while letting them keep hold of the reigns.

Open Up about Your Failures

Even as adults, kids still want to impress their parents. Sometimes it is the fear of judgment or of disappointing you that stops them from coming to you for advice. While you want to make it clear that you understand your situation may be different, sharing your experiences with divorce, job loss, and other challenges you've overcome will reassure your child that you will respond with empathy to their struggles.

Offer to Help with Their To-Do List

You might not be able to heal your child's marriage or fix their finances, but you can provide them with the time they need to figure it out. Ask your child if they'd like you to watch their kids for a few hours each week or pick up their groceries while you are out shopping. Simple actions such as these will show support without seeming intrusive.

Provide Them with an Outside Perspective

Adults in their 20s and 30s may have a wide social circle, yet the majority of the people they interact with everyday share similar life experiences and perspectives. It may also be hard for your child to reach out to their family and friends when they have struggles due to feelings of embarrassment. For this reason, gifting your child with an online life coaching service will provide them with a resource they can go to for advice without the risk of revealing their innermost thoughts to those they deem too close.

Standing on the perimeter of your child's struggles is difficult as a parent, yet you can show your support without stepping in too soon. By making sure your child knows that you understand their problems and offering options that provide them with the time and resources they need to find a solution, you can guide your child through life's changes with finesse.


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