Mending the Broken Heart: Parent Estrangement Support Group on October 9th Hosted by Fern Weis, Parent + Family Recovery Coach

We gathered for the first Parent Estrangement Support Group last week. It was a small and powerful group with vastly different stories.

Yet each parent identified with the others. Regardless of the details, the emotions and challenges are the same. And they all learned from each other.

How do you cope with the reality of an adult child who has gone no-contact; when your heart is broken; and you're looking for a baby step to open the door to possible reconciliation?

My research and conversation with a therapist about this topic revealed one important facet of this dilemma:

• As unfair as it feels to you, the parent, the first steps are yours.

• This is still a parent-child relationship no matter your child's age. And they are likely still at the emotional age they were when the trauma or difficulty occurred.

• What you say or don't say, do or don't do, how you say it or do it — they all matter.

Yes, it will feel like walking through a minefield.

Your job is to prepare. To learn and practice tools of self-awareness, when to respond, how to not react, how to reach out and make it about them (not about you - they're not able to take that in yet).

To find peace in your life, even joy, whether there is reconciliation or not.

I'm here to facilitate this learning and support in a safe, confidential space. That's why our sessions are not being recorded: to maintain privacy and to allow for freer sharing of experiences.

We will meet again Thursday, October 9 at 8:00pm Eastern on Zoom.

To register, email me at fern@fernweis.com.

Don't try to solve this on your own. Let us be your village.

Fern Weis | Parent + Family Recovery Coach

Fern Weis is a certified life coach who learned that caring and good intentions are not enough in parenting. In fact, they are often the problem! Fern supports parents of teens and young adults who are going through difficult situations, including addiction recovery. She helps parents release guilt, end enabling and confidently prepare their children to thrive through life's challenges. Her articles are featured in Thrive Global, Medium, Motherly, The Teen Mentor, and Bergen County Moms.

Learn more about coaching and classes at www.fernweis.com. And then download your free guide, "Five Powerful Steps to Get Your Teen to Talk." For information on Family Recovery programs, visit www.familyrecoverypartners.com.