Dear Mom: I don't ever want to hear from you again...

Parents and grown children who do not get along is certainly one of life's ultimate heartaches. If the schism is both serious and long-term, it can have a significant impact on the emotional well-being of all involved. Estrangement often involves anger, guilt, shame and regret--hardly the foundation for positive mental health. But fixing broken parent-child relationships can be extremely difficult. Fortunately, a family relationship expert has written a book on this very topic that provides helpful strategies for adressing the problem.

Dr. Joshua Coleman's "When Parents Hurt" advises parents to start the bridge building by having them take responsibility for their past actions. He suggests that they make amends, forgive themselves and their children, and to move the shame and guilt to the background.

What happens if the parents feel that they haven't done anything wrong? Unless the parent is okay with the status quo, it is still incumbent on them taking the initiative to rebuild the relationship. And since the book advises to drop the blame game, who's right or wrong isn't relevant to the process.

Coleman has compassion for what parents are going through and regardless of the outcome his advice should help parents cope with this most-difficult situation.

Amazon link: When Parents Hurt: Compassionate Strategies When You and Your Grown Child Don't Get Along

Thank you Business of Life for finding this book for us.