Leaving the Nest

Brother Richard Miller stated in "Who is the Boss Power Relationships?"was that "When children become adults, the relationship between parents and children changes. In healthy families, the parents no longer exercise control or expect their adult children to obey them. Of course, parents still have the right to set household rules concerning appropriate behaviour in their house, but they no longer have the right or responsibility to tell their adult children what to do. It is now the stewardship of the adult children to make decisions concerning their own families"
I think this transition may even be more difficult than that of having a baby. When you have to let your child go and no longer have them under your control or authority, it is really difficult to think about your grown child being in complete control of their own lives and their own choices, but it a must if you are going to carry on a healthy relationship with them. As parents, we love our children desperately, but we must let them grow and progress and take a more supporting role in their lives if they are going to have a life that is full, rich and independent. I hope that as my husband and I watch our children blossom and grow into productive adults (hopefully) that they know we have full confidence in their decision making abilities and that we want them to succeed.

"Who Is the Boss? Power Relationships in Families" Richard B. Miller, PhD, Conference on Family Life, March 28, 2008