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Between the Lines

Interdependent Generations — Post-Parenting the Grown Kids

Divorce
Dealing with Your Feelings When Your Kids Divorce

Jane Adams Ph.D. on September 4, 2023

When grown kids divorce, taking sides is inevitable. But if there are grandchildren involved, remaining neutral is the best way to help them heal.

When grown kids divorce, taking sides is inevitable. But if there are grandchildren involved, remaining neutral is the best way to help them heal.

Aging
What Will Our Parents Need Most from Us as They Age?

Jane Adams Ph.D. on June 19, 2023

Changes in middle-aged children's perceptions of their parents' activities of daily living needs are associated with changes in the mutuality of support in their relationship.

Changes in middle-aged children's perceptions of their parents' activities of daily living needs are associated with changes in the mutuality of support in their relationship.

Career
Is What You Do Who You Are?

Jane Adams Ph.D. on June 2, 2023

Leaving the office behind doesn't always predict happiness and success in both the personal and professional domains of life.

Leaving the office behind doesn't always predict happiness and success in both the personal and professional domains of life.

Neuroscience
Can You Tell How Mature Your Kid's Brain Is by Looking Into It?

Jane Adams Ph.D. on March 21, 2023

Advances in neuroscience allow us to see the brain in action, but they don't measure every dimension of cognitive functioning or accurately measure the many dimensions of maturity.

Advances in neuroscience allow us to see the brain in action, but they don't measure every dimension of cognitive functioning or accurately measure the many dimensions of maturity.

Relationships
When It Comes to Grown Kids, How Close Is Too Close?

Jane Adams Ph.D. on February 7, 2023

When family boundaries are enmeshed, grown kids can't separate emotionally from parents without feeling guilty, and parents can't let go without feeling abandoned.

When family boundaries are enmeshed, grown kids can't separate emotionally from parents without feeling guilty, and parents can't let go without feeling abandoned.

Loneliness
Why Getting Older Takes a Village

Jane Adams Ph.D. on December 29, 2022

A health crisis reorders thinking about who you can count on to help as you age, and an epidemic of loneliness brings it home.

A health crisis reorders thinking about who you can count on to help as you age, and an epidemic of loneliness brings it home.

Relationships
Untangling Enmeshed Boundaries with Grown Children

Jane Adams Ph.D. on December 8, 2022

Boundaries between parents and children change as kids mature; if they don't, conflict is inevitable as children seek the separation and individuation necessary to development.

Boundaries between parents and children change as kids mature; if they don't, conflict is inevitable as children seek the separation and individuation necessary to development.

Personality
How Economic Conditions in Early Adulthood Shape Personality

Jane Adams Ph.D. on October 17, 2022

Economic conditions directly influence personality development; the worse conditions are in young adulthood, the less narcissistic and entitled people become as they mature.

Economic conditions directly influence personality development; the worse conditions are in young adulthood, the less narcissistic and entitled people become as they mature.

Genetics
Finding Out You’re Not Who You Thought You Were

Jane Adams Ph.D. on September 30, 2022

Inexpensive DNA technology has ripped open secrets of assisted conception, adoption, and misattributed parentage and brought troubling identity issues to many.

Inexpensive DNA technology has ripped open secrets of assisted conception, adoption, and misattributed parentage and brought troubling identity issues to many.

Friends
Giving Away the Stuff but Keeping the Memories

Jane Adams Ph.D. on August 16, 2022

Personal Perspective: Giving the right possessions to the right people keeps your memories in a safe place, and brings your family and friends closer.

Personal Perspective: Giving the right possessions to the right people keeps your memories in a safe place, and brings your family and friends closer.

Memory
Channeling My Mother So My Kids Won't Forget Her

Jane Adams Ph.D. on July 20, 2022

Personal Perspective: The longer a parent is gone, the more alive they are in your memory, especially as you get older. Mostly, that's a good thing.

Personal Perspective: The longer a parent is gone, the more alive they are in your memory, especially as you get older. Mostly, that's a good thing.

Friends
Does Role Reversal Mean Losing Our Independence?

Jane Adams Ph.D. on March 4, 2022

Why does role reversal scare older adults so much? Because it feels like an assault on our independence rather than the truest definition of interdependence: helping each other.

Why does role reversal scare older adults so much? Because it feels like an assault on our independence rather than the truest definition of interdependence: helping each other.

Friends
When Your Empty Nest Is a Revolving Door

Jane Adams Ph.D. on January 31, 2022

From surge to surge, the family home has become a revolving door for grown kids. It's usually just a pit stop, but every transition requires an agreement.

From surge to surge, the family home has become a revolving door for grown kids. It's usually just a pit stop, but every transition requires an agreement.