Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents

Publisher's Summary

In this breakthrough book, clinical psychologist Lindsay Gibson exposes the destructive nature of parents who are emotionally immature or unavailable. You will see how these parents create a sense of neglect and discover ways to heal from the pain and confusion caused by your childhood. By freeing yourself from your parents' emotional immaturity, you can recover your true nature, control how you react to them, and avoid disappointment. Finally, you'll learn how to create positive new relationships so you can build a better life.

©2015 Lindsay C. Gibson (P)2016 Tantor

Critic Reviews

"Lindsay C. Gibson, PsyD, gives practical insight into a prevalent problem.... The book is impeccably clear.... This utter lack of confusion makes the book quite soothing, despite the heavy subject." ( Foreword Magazine)

Emotional maturity is a topic worthy of study

If you could sum up Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents in three words, what would they be?

Helpful and informative

What did you like best about this story?

I like that the text was able to both discuss the effect of a lack of emotional maturity of parents on their grown children as well as discussing emotional maturity in general. I didn't feel that I was getting only a look at "this is what happened to these adults" but rather a continuum of the effects of emotional immaturity in all stages, including the ability to reflect on my own life and emotional maturity as a parent and how it may affect my children.

What does Marguerite Gavin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narration was well delivered and kept me interested. I'm a slow reader, and so I expect it would have taken me much longer to get through a print version, but Ms. Gavin kept the text moving along and always kept me interested.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Not based on the book

Any additional comments?

All in all, I was very pleased with the book as a study of emotional maturity at all levels. It was very helpful and gave me a good understanding of the subject, and made me want to learn more, not to mention find ways to mature emotionally. It also did help to a great degree regarding digging into the past and finding the roots of why we act the way we do.

16 of 16 people found this review helpful

Astonishing information.

It seem that my whole life I was searching for the information in this book. I came upon this book by strange chance, and I'm so pleased to have found it. Thank you audible for having us in your library this book has shown me so much about myself and my family structure. I absolutely recommend it, not only to those who feel that they might have emotionally immature parents, but also for those people who feel that their own partner might be suffering from emotionally immature parents. Performance only gets 3 stars because the narrator seemed to inconsistently flip-flop between the "character voice" to a regular reading voice when it came to the case studies, or examples from clients.

15 of 15 people found this review helpful

Fantastic and applicable

As an adult child of someone with two emotionally immature parents (unbeknownst to me until I found this book), I have never felt more understood in my life. This book scientifically and research-based explained my experiences and who my parents are/why I have habits that I do. It has served to help me manage my parent relationships in a way that protects me from emotional and psychological hurt while also helping me to realize areas I need to improve in because of poor habits I have learned/used. I couldn't recommend this book more highly.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

Excellent

Concise, honorable, nonjudgmental presentation of emotional immaturity. Easy to identify with descriptions of how that effects relationships. Sound advice and encouragement on acting more emotionally mature.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Explanation on why and practical advice on how to handle

This book was truly life changing in discovering not only why but how and what to do regarding growing up with emotionally immature parents. I plan to re-read it again to fully absorb it all. I especially liked the examples provided as most all were relatable.

The narrator was borderline unbearable and were it literally any other audiobook I would have promptly returned it. She sounded like she was teaching 1st graders, tone was off. I hope this is not her day job.

17 of 18 people found this review helpful

highly recommended

I will be referencing this book while working on the issues it discusses- I found it extremely insightful, detailed, and easy to follow. I really disliked the narrator's style of speaking, but found the book so helpful I was able to overlook that easily. It is well worth listening to.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Wow enlightenment achieved ❤️

No counseling I've had in the past has ever pinpointed my constant struggle w inadequacy until this book. Thank you to all the experts who have taught me to awaken and give myself permission to a new beginning.. And understanding the importance of observational awareness to break the cycle for my 1 year old daughter.. She thanks you too

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Life-changing

What made the experience of listening to Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents the most enjoyable?

This book completely revolutionized my life. These concepts of emotionally immature people vs. emotionally mature people, and internalizers vs. externalizers, etc., explain so very much about my existence and the family dynamic I've experienced. It helped to clear up most of the confusion I had regarding my driven parents, and answered questions I didn't even know how to articulate. It truly brought so much healing into my soul, I couldn't get enough of it. I will definitely keep listening to this over and over again, especially when I need the reassurance, clarity, guidance and encouragement that I may never receive from my family. I wish I could hug the author and adopt her as a mentor. What a deep, insightful, and caring individual Dr. Gibson must be, to have written this book. What a blessing. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

SO many A-Ha moments, I am still trying to process it all.

23 of 26 people found this review helpful

informative, but repetitive

I found this book extremely helpful both personally and professionally. it was, however, somewhat repetitive and the reader sounded stilted. If you can get past that, this book will be an excellent resource.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Inspiring & Realistically Relevant

Dr. Gibson has done a superb job capturing the subtle nuances of men and women sadly impacted by emotionally unavailable parents. Her descriptions are spot-on and parallel my clinical experiences. She provides not only a clearly articulated understanding of the impact neglected parental patterns can have on adult-children but a hopeful and attainable message rooted in neuroscience that change is possible. Bravo! - Ken Celiano, Psy.D.

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Game changer

Any additional comments?

I've struggled with feeling rejected in my family for decades. I spent a long time thinking it was my fault and felt powerless to change things.
This book is simple and profound. It's given me a clear lense through which to understand that my parents were in many ways immature and our whole family dynamic was highly akward and inappropriate. This book has helped me feel less at fault and more empowered to move on in healthy ways.
Highly recommended.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Very good.

I was impressed with with this book - it really is helpful in developing an insightful understanding of how our parents behaviour can mishape ourselves. It's not a cure but it's another step on the road of ever increase knowledge.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Great tool for self discovery

A great read for understanding yourself and others wrote with compassion and without judgement. I recommend it!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Amazing, enlightening!!

After struggling with my mother and siblings for 20 years, this book is an amazing englightenment to me.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

One of the best books on emotional immaturity

I have read quite a few books on emotional absent, neglectful or immature parenting, but this one is one of the most accurate, easy to understand and to the point book. It presents case studies and compares them to how those affected were mistreated as children. I highly recommend reading it as one of the most insightful books on the subject.

Good...

I enjoyed the last 10 minutes of this most - what you can do yourself to ensure emotionally mature relationships. Reflecting on relationships I’ve had with emotionally immature people, I wouldn’t have been able to recognise them from the descriptors, but if I had acted in the new ways then I think this would have revealed their flaws.
Using emotionally immature as a broad descriptor for a wide range of personality problems is helpful I think; especially as people seem to relish amateur psychologising by pasting (often inappropriate) labels on others.

A total revelation! Finally I understand my past

Hugely helpful book which everyone should read and is like going in a journey of self exploration. I didn't really care for the voice but thoroughly enjoyed every chapter!

So incredibly accessible..

A wonderful book that draws upon a wealth of pertinent theory - presented in such a way so as to make the concepts accessible to everyone...

I think its between 4 and 5 start ,very beneficial,but room for some topics to develop further

Very insightful book ,i hope it has a great impact too,but glad i have the audio version i can refer to when i slip in denial.worth purchasing

Insightful and helps you grow

This is a very interesting insightful book. Helps you reflect and grow as an individual.