Parenting Adult Children: From Control to Connection with Catherine Hickem

What if the hardest part of parenting… isn’t raising children—but learning how to relate to them as adults?

In this powerful and eye-opening episode, I sit down with Catherine Hickem—licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, executive coach, and founder of Parenting Adult Children Today—to explore one of the most overlooked and emotionally complex stages of family life: parenting adult children.

With over 40 years of experience helping families navigate conflict, change, and growth, Catherine brings both professional expertise and personal insight to a topic that affects nearly every family—yet is rarely talked about openly.

We dive into why so many parent-child relationships become strained over time, and what it really takes to rebuild trust, connection, and mutual respect.
One statistic is especially striking: 1 in 4 adults is estranged from at least one parent. This isn’t random—it’s often the result of unspoken expectations, unresolved conflict, and missed opportunities for repair.
Catherine challenges parents to take a courageous and honest look inward—shifting from reaction to reflection, from control to curiosity, and from authority to partnership.

We also talk about the grief many parents carry—the loss of the child they imagined—and how processing that grief is essential to truly loving and accepting the adult child in front of them.

This conversation is filled with compassion, clarity, and practical wisdom for anyone who wants a healthier, more meaningful relationship with their adult children.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why so many adult children become estranged from their parents
• How unspoken expectations quietly damage relationships
• The critical shift from authority figure to trusted ally
• Why parents must do their own inner work to rebuild connection
• How grief plays a hidden role in family relationships
• Practical ways to create safety, trust, and open communication
• How to move from control to curiosity in your parenting

About Catherine Hickem:

Catherine Hickem is a licensed clinical social worker, seasoned psychotherapist, executive coach, and founder of Parenting Adult Children Today. With over four decades of experience, she has helped thousands of families and leaders navigate emotional complexity with clarity and purpose.

She is also the former leader of The Dash Group, a consultancy focused on building strong leaders, healthy cultures, and sustainable success.

Her upcoming book, It’s Never Too Late to Be a Great Parent (2026), offers a compassionate roadmap for healing, reconnection, and legacy-building within families.

Key Takeaway:

Your relationship with your child doesn’t end when they become an adult—it evolves. And the quality of that relationship often depends on your willingness to grow, reflect, and meet them where they are.

When parents create a safe, non-judgmental space, adult children don’t pull away—they lean in.

Listen and Share:

If this episode resonates with you, please share it with a parent or someone navigating family challenges. These conversations have the power to heal relationships and strengthen families.

Free Resource:

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