My Latest on Catholicmom.com – Parenting the Adult Child

So while I can no longer shield my adult children, or forbid or prevent them from doing whatever it is they want to do, I’m still allowed to have an opinion about these things. If they ask for it, I’ll give it to them. If they’re in my home, I might give it to them even if they don’t ask for it, free of charge! Because that’s what adults do, especially adults in close relationships.

Being the parent of an adult child is a balancing act. You’re still a parent, not a friend — but you have no authority. You want to be loved and respected, but sometimes for the good of the adult child, you might have to risk losing that by standing up for truth and values.