Between the Generations

Family Dynamics

4 Factors Causing Tension Between Adult Children and Parents

Sarah Epstein LMFT on March 13, 2025

Struggling to connect with your parents as an adult? Discover the hidden generational, cultural, and financial factors that may be driving a wedge between you.

Family Dynamics

The Hidden Rules That Control Your Family—and How to Change Them

Sarah Epstein LMFT on March 4, 2025

Why is it so hard to change family dynamics? Discover the hidden rules that keep families stuck in harmful patterns and how to break free.

Affirmations

How to Use Affirmations to Cope With Difficult Family Members

Sarah Epstein LMFT on December 31, 2024

Going to see a difficult family member? Keep these affirmations in mind to stay grounded and out of conflict.

Family Dynamics

12 Truths About Relating in Our Families

Sarah Epstein LMFT on September 27, 2024

8. You can love them—and struggle to be around them.

Family Dynamics

4 Things Parents Need to Tell Their Adult Children

Sarah Epstein LMFT on September 23, 2024

3. "I believe in you."

Family Dynamics

4 Ways You Might Make Family Fights Worse

Sarah Epstein LMFT on July 9, 2024

Are difficult family members 100% responsible when they start yet another family fight? Not quite.

Relationships

6 Reasons Why People Stay in Failing Relationships

Sarah Epstein LMFT on June 18, 2024

6. They just don't have the energy to leave.

Family Dynamics

5 Key Challenges an Only Child May Face

Sarah Epstein LMFT on May 21, 2024

Triangulation, high expectations, and pressures to be loyal.

Relationships

6 Steps to Get Through a Tough Conversation

Sarah Epstein LMFT on May 2, 2024

4. Communicate your nervousness, maybe

Parenting

The Thing Parents Do That Infuriates Adult Children

Sarah Epstein LMFT on April 2, 2024

"Oh, Alice has always been dramatic."

Boundaries

8 Steps to Letting Other People Down

Sarah Epstein LMFT on February 15, 2024

Do you think that disappointing others is wrong? Think again. You need this skill.

Forgiveness

Are Self-Compassion and Self-Forgiveness the Same Thing?

Sarah Epstein LMFT on February 8, 2024

Self-compassion and self-forgiveness are the backbone of emotional well-being. Both are important, but slightly different. Here's how.

Self-Talk

How to Make Affirmations Stick

Sarah Epstein LMFT on January 4, 2024

Can affirmations actually work? Yes, but you've probably been doing them wrong.

Family Dynamics

4 Tips to Get Through Difficult Family Meals

Sarah Epstein LMFT on November 22, 2023

Arm yourself with tools to have a great time.

Family Dynamics

Why Some Parents and Adult Children Just Can't Get Along

Sarah Epstein LMFT on November 2, 2023

When closeness isn't possible, grief may emerge.

Family Dynamics

5 Steps to Healing if a Family Member Won't Change

Sarah Epstein LMFT on October 17, 2023

When begging family members to change stops working, it's time to turn to strategies that help you move forward.

Family Dynamics

3 Parental Beliefs That Poison Relationships With Adult Kids

Sarah Epstein LMFT on September 28, 2023

Parents of adult children sometimes fall into roles that can cause friction in the relationship. Here's how.

Boundaries

When Parents Won't Say No to Their Adult Children

Sarah Epstein LMFT on September 27, 2023

Boundaryless parents of adult children create hidden issues in their families. They may feel generous, but their children feel frustrated. Here's why.

Parenting

1 Sure Way to Improve Relationships With Adult Children

Sarah Epstein LMFT on September 21, 2023

Sometimes the most obvious solutions are the best ones. Here's how to reconnect with your adult child.

Family Dynamics

How Parents and Adult Children Can Stop Fighting

Sarah Epstein LMFT on June 8, 2023

Many adult children and their parents get trapped in the same arguments over and over. They've probably been approaching it all wrong.