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When Our Adult Children Walk Away
My story. Reflecting my experiences, observations and perspective - in my words.
In the early spring of 2019, under the influence of her gatekeeper-partner, in the heart of the global pandemic. After several years of trying to sort through our differences, my (young) adult daughter made the heartbreaking choice to cut all communication with our family.
My name is Dr. Janet Steinkamp, and the reason for this podcast is simple. During the long, dark hours of my isolation and desperation, I decided to use my formal training and professional experience to help people struggling to understand how to strengthen their communication styles and interpersonal behavior to rebuild a fracturing relationship. I pivoted from decades of work in medical education and communication to work with families.
I now coach people, both parents and adult children, through the dark days, isolation, and pain of estrangement from their parent or adult child. We work to find hope and look toward the future, to grow despite and because of their estrangement, and find strategies that help them prepare to strengthen and rebuild their fractured relationship.
When you are ready to walk through the hot coals of self-reflection toward self-discovery - to prepare for repair - I'm here to walk alongside you.
I can't promise reconnection, I can and will help you find clarity, purpose and strength as you prepare for opportunities to establish respectful, trusting communication.
When Our Adult Children Walk Away
Latest Episodes
When It Was Us - Episode 1: How We Got Here (audio only)
What does estrangement actually look like before it happens? In this deeply personal episode, Dr. Janet Steinkamp does something she has never done before — she opens up about her own estrangement, inviting her daughter Brianna to join her for ...
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OMG They're back! Now what do I do?? How do I know if I'm ready?
In this episode of When Our Adult Children Walk Away, you’ll walk through one of the most fragile and hopeful moments in estrangement: when your adult child reaches out. Whether it’s a short text, a knock on your door, or a message pas...
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Parental Estrangement and Acceptance: Finding Your Way From Rejection to Renewal
In this episode of When Our Adult Children Walk Away, you’ll explore what comes after the slog through the first three swirling stages of grief. After the shock, anger, and despair have swirled for a while, you're likely to find...
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The Emotional Nexus of Parental Estrangement: Rejection
In this episode of When Our Adult Children Walk Away, Dr. Steinkamp takes a gentle but honest look at one of the most painful aspects of estrangement: the deep sting of rejection. When our adult child pulls away - slowly or...
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Aligning Your Communication With Your Adult Child's Perceptions
It’s natural to feel compelled to reach out to fix things at every level of estrangement. We’ve been taught to pursue, talk, challenge, and perhaps even expect certain aspects of a relationship with our adult child.You want closeness, bu...
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Fan Mail
I’m currently estranged from my son and I’m launching into the transformation stage. My question is should I send another text to ask what more he wants from me to have a one on one. Our estrangement started due to my drinking. I'm now 10 months sober and involved in a program. During our estrangement I have kept him up to date with my recovery. At first I would get congrats etc and then there was a text about connecting but not quite ready and then I reached out again and he lashed out because I asked him to respond and not leave me in text silence. So with my bday and the holidays coming up should I reach out to ask what more he needs from me or go the silent route. Appreciate your response. Marcia
Grand R API Ds, Michigan