Book Review: Doing Life With Your Adult Children – Keep Your Mouth Shut and the Welcome Mat Out by Jim Burns
The term “emerging adults” lands so much better than my pollywog word picture. I meant to communicate empathy to my 21 year old when I said, “you have been a tadpole with gills and a tail swimming in a pool and now you have legs and are growing lungs, but you still have a small tail and breathe oxygenated water… You are almost an adult, almost ready for independent land life, but not yet. This awkward stage will end soon”. But all my scientific eloquence only widened the distance between us hearing each other. Emerging Adult sounds more respectful. Take it from one who failed to communicate.
My dream job was being a mom. For 20+ years every resource I had was devoted to the development and growth of my precious children. When I hit a stage I struggled with I sought mentors and read books. And let’s just say that was pretty often. I read Don’t Make Me Count to Three by Ginger Plowman three times at different stages. When my oldest became a teenager I read four books on parenting teens. (TeenProofing and Crucial Conversations were the most insightful and practical, in case you are wondering.) When I was pulled over for speeding one Sunday morning alone in my mini-van after an exchange with my daughter, the police officer asked if I was okay. With tears I said, “I have a teenage daughter.” He let me go with a warning. We all know that stage is HARD.
But then suddenly my parenting job was over… and I didn’t realize it. I had been fired. But I kept showing up to the office trying to do things the way I had for 20 years. My adult children didn’t need parenting the same way. Life was their primary teacher now. I had been moved to a new position and there has been a steep learning curve trying to find and adjust to my new job description. In their lives I’m not driving anymore, and get to sit in the back seat and enjoy the views and fiercely try NOT be a backseat driver.
The goal of wise parenting is a child who is independent, responsible, and a contributing member of society. For them to experience maturity, autonomy and individuation children need to leave emotionally, spiritually and physically. Leave. Leave me. What about clause 72B of my parenting contract that said I devote my life to them and they will love me and call once a week? This is about what is best for them, on their journey to maturity, not my feelings. They need to leave me in every sense for them to thrive and be the fully functioning adults they were designed to be. Parents give children foundational roots, then it is time to cheer them on as they sprout wings and fly!
My new job is to trust God and trust life experiences will teach them, so I don’t need to give advice. Were you aware that unsolicited advice is taken as criticism? I’m learning. It’s time to let those 20 years of investment work itself out. My job is to be my children’s biggest supporter and my number one goal is to preserve our relationship. AWE is my job now: Affection, Warmth and Encouragement.
Gratitude, thankfulness and LOVING WHAT IS and embracing the perspective all things will work for the good are my North Star when navigating choppy seas. My new filter is to relate to the adult children on an adult to adult level and only say/do what I would with another adult friend.
Job Description for parent of an Emerging Adult (you are going to love these!):
- Be encouraging (not intrusive) – promote their adult status. Praise and support and be a first responder when life gets hard for them.
- Prepare the emerging adult to be independent and ready for adult life with clear expectations, boundaries and a plan/time line for their financial independence.
- Self-care is essential – grieve necessary losses with our tribe – do not vent to child.
- Have serious FUN – create memories, play, laugh. Be fun, generous. Take vacations, drop off surprise gifts, and celebrate everything. Consider Sunday family time, cousin camp for grandchildren, special grandparent trip, offer to babysit.
- Never dispute your in-laws. They are the gate-keeper to your child and grandchildren. Stay out of the fray and pray. #1 goal is to improve the relationships. Listen and keep mouth shut.
- Leave a legacy of love, generosity and encouragement. Be the safe, fun ones that don’t put demands on them for holidays, etc. The short term and long term goal is love.
There is a kind of hopefulness that my first parenting job is over and now someone else is responsible. Balancing care, concern and respect as our adult relationships grow to new depths is an exciting new adventure. Focusing on keeping the welcome mat out, my mouth shut and planning some serious fun on our next family adventure (swimming with dolphins this Christmas!) is how I hope to show them they are loved, supported and celebrated!