Between the Lines

Interdependent Generations — Post-Parenting the Grown Kids

Friends
When Your Close Friends Disappoint You

Jane Adams Ph.D. on June 25, 2024

The dissolution of a close, intimate friendship can be as traumatic as a divorce, but the willingness to be emotionally vulnerable may help repair the rupture.

The dissolution of a close, intimate friendship can be as traumatic as a divorce, but the willingness to be emotionally vulnerable may help repair the rupture.

Family Dynamics
When Your Grown Kids Just Don't Get Along

Jane Adams Ph.D. on June 11, 2024

Adult children don't always like or appreciate each other. Blood ties and a common history aren't always enough to maintain a connection.

Adult children don't always like or appreciate each other. Blood ties and a common history aren't always enough to maintain a connection.

Divorce
Dealing with Your Feelings When Your Kids Divorce

Jane Adams Ph.D. on September 4, 2023

When grown kids divorce, taking sides is inevitable. But if there are grandchildren involved, remaining neutral is the best way to help them heal.

When grown kids divorce, taking sides is inevitable. But if there are grandchildren involved, remaining neutral is the best way to help them heal.

Aging
What Will Our Parents Need Most from Us as They Age?

Jane Adams Ph.D. on June 19, 2023

Changes in middle-aged children's perceptions of their parents' activities of daily living needs are associated with changes in the mutuality of support in their relationship.

Changes in middle-aged children's perceptions of their parents' activities of daily living needs are associated with changes in the mutuality of support in their relationship.

Career
Is What You Do Who You Are?

Jane Adams Ph.D. on June 2, 2023

Leaving the office behind doesn't always predict happiness and success in both the personal and professional domains of life.

Leaving the office behind doesn't always predict happiness and success in both the personal and professional domains of life.

Neuroscience
Can You Tell How Mature Your Kid's Brain Is by Looking Into It?

Jane Adams Ph.D. on March 21, 2023

Advances in neuroscience allow us to see the brain in action, but they don't measure every dimension of cognitive functioning or accurately measure the many dimensions of maturity.

Advances in neuroscience allow us to see the brain in action, but they don't measure every dimension of cognitive functioning or accurately measure the many dimensions of maturity.

Relationships
When It Comes to Grown Kids, How Close Is Too Close?

Jane Adams Ph.D. on February 7, 2023

When family boundaries are enmeshed, grown kids can't separate emotionally from parents without feeling guilty, and parents can't let go without feeling abandoned.

When family boundaries are enmeshed, grown kids can't separate emotionally from parents without feeling guilty, and parents can't let go without feeling abandoned.

Loneliness
Why Getting Older Takes a Village

Jane Adams Ph.D. on December 29, 2022

A health crisis reorders thinking about who you can count on to help as you age, and an epidemic of loneliness brings it home.

A health crisis reorders thinking about who you can count on to help as you age, and an epidemic of loneliness brings it home.

Relationships
Untangling Enmeshed Boundaries with Grown Children

Jane Adams Ph.D. on December 8, 2022

Boundaries between parents and children change as kids mature; if they don't, conflict is inevitable as children seek the separation and individuation necessary to development.

Boundaries between parents and children change as kids mature; if they don't, conflict is inevitable as children seek the separation and individuation necessary to development.

Personality
How Economic Conditions in Early Adulthood Shape Personality

Jane Adams Ph.D. on October 17, 2022

Economic conditions directly influence personality development; the worse conditions are in young adulthood, the less narcissistic and entitled people become as they mature.

Economic conditions directly influence personality development; the worse conditions are in young adulthood, the less narcissistic and entitled people become as they mature.

Genetics
Finding Out You’re Not Who You Thought You Were

Jane Adams Ph.D. on September 30, 2022

Inexpensive DNA technology has ripped open secrets of assisted conception, adoption, and misattributed parentage and brought troubling identity issues to many.

Inexpensive DNA technology has ripped open secrets of assisted conception, adoption, and misattributed parentage and brought troubling identity issues to many.

Friends
Giving Away the Stuff but Keeping the Memories

Jane Adams Ph.D. on August 16, 2022

Personal Perspective: Giving the right possessions to the right people keeps your memories in a safe place, and brings your family and friends closer.

Personal Perspective: Giving the right possessions to the right people keeps your memories in a safe place, and brings your family and friends closer.

Memory
Channeling My Mother So My Kids Won't Forget Her

Jane Adams Ph.D. on July 20, 2022

Personal Perspective: The longer a parent is gone, the more alive they are in your memory, especially as you get older. Mostly, that's a good thing.

Personal Perspective: The longer a parent is gone, the more alive they are in your memory, especially as you get older. Mostly, that's a good thing.

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March 2026
The Friend Effect

Having friends protects you in multiple ways, from slowing cellular aging to deterring bullies to bolstering your self-esteem.

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Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.

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