Today's episode is a little different than what you're used to.

It's for those of you who have been hurt by a parent, and carry the quiet, painful ache of knowing that an apology is probably never coming and how you can move forward, without repeating the toxic cycle with your own children.

My guest Paula Yost calls this the Apology Ache. That deep, lingering hurt from a parent who has wounded you, and you have to accept that they are never going to acknowledge it. In fact often times, our only salvation is estrangement. Which we never want to happen with our own children. But we talk about it anyway.

Paula is a clinical mental health counsellor, a lawyer, and the author of the book Tumbleweeds. This conversation is about her deeply personal and painful experiences with a mother whom she struggled with practically her whole life and how she came to terms with that relationship through the practice of Radical Acceptance which she explains so beautifully.

And perhaps most importantly, we talk about breaking the generational cycle. Because so many people who were hurt by a parent carry a deep fear: am I going to do this to my own kids or can I break this toxic pattern.

If you were hurt by a parent, the fear of repeating that with your own children is real and that's something I think every parent needs to hear because I don’t think any of us had a perfect childhood.

So even though this episode is a bit different, I think the message is important and I hope you spend the time today to listen.

Remember to hit the follow button so you never miss and episode, and please send this to a friend or family member who needs to hear it.

As always, thank you for listening.

P.S If you happen to read these show notes, I'm doing a FREE Masterclass on Thursday April 16th at 8 pm EST on the Secrets of a Successful Living Together Agreement - and Why Most Fail.

Save your spot here; ParentingFX.com/LTA-Masterclass

About my Guest: Paula Yost is a licensed clinical mental health counselor, an attorney and the author of Tumbleweeds, available on Amazon.com. Paula writes and speaks about what happens when families are forced to navigate broken systems and choose not to stay silent.

Contact info available at https://paulayost.com/

💻 Shari's Parenting Course is now OPEN! “Journey to Independence: A Step-by-Step Roadmap to Guiding and Launching Your Adult Child.”

For more information and where to sign up, visit: https://parentingfx.com/parentingcourse

Do you want to know if your adult child is struggling with Failure to Launch? Grab the FREE Failure to Launch Checklist here:

🗣️One-on-One Consultations are available. Click here!

Email me if you have any questions at: Shari@ParentingFX.com

🎙️Remember to hit the SUBSCRIBE button so you never miss an episode.

Shari can be found on Instagram & TikTok Search @sharijonaslifefx

YouTube has all of the interviews available to watch! CLICK HERE...

If your adult child is living at home and refuses to take on any responsibilities, acting more like a hotel guest than a member of the household and you feel like you've tried everything, this episode is for you.

After writing and creating an 18-page Living Together Guide and Agreement for parents of young adults who weren't participating or contributing to basic household responsibilities or anything in their life, I quickly discovered that most parents struggled to enforce it. The approach required finesse. The groundwork had to be laid first. The relationship needed work.

But giving up was not an option because having responsibilities, structure, and routine isn't just important for you, your home or your adult. It's vital to their self-confidence.

This short episode explains why. And in the end, I invite you to join me to take this conversation even further.

Here's the link to save your spot: https://parentingfx.com/lta-masterclass

Remember to hit the subscribe button, and please send this episode to someone who needs to hear it.

Thanks for listening!

💻 Shari's Parenting Course is now OPEN! “Journey to Independence: A Step-by-Step Roadmap to Guiding and Launching Your Adult Child.”

For more information and where to sign up, visit: https://parentingfx.com/parentingcourse

Do you want to know if your adult child is struggling with Failure to Launch? Grab the FREE Failure to Launch Checklist here:

🗣️One-on-One Consultations are available. Click here!

Email me if you have any questions at: Shari@ParentingFX.com

🎙️Remember to hit the SUBSCRIBE button so you never miss an episode.

Shari can be found on Instagram & TikTok Search @sharijonaslifefx

YouTube has all of the interviews available to watch! CLICK HERE...

For any parent whose ever wondered whether their adult child has a video gaming addiction, and if so how they can help, this episode is for you.

What may have started off as just a harmless activity turns into an all-consuming, socially withdrawn activity, where showering and eating are secondary to gaming and day/night reversal have become a way of life. Their bedrooms are their fortress, and their parents are not welcome.

In this candid episode, 30-year-old Jake Uskoski shares his deeply personal experience with his addiction, his relapses and the remarkable recovery from this incredibly challenging addiction.

I'm grateful to have had this conversation with Jake, who pulls back the curtain on what the emotional life of a video gaming addict looks like and how much support is needed if recovery is ever going to happen.

After this episode, you'll know for sure whether or not your young adult needs help, the extent of what they're going through, and I'm sure you will never look at their little video gaming activity the same, ever again.

I've been suggesting this episode to many young adults because I know how helpful it will be. Seeing themselves in Jake is the first step. This is not easy to admit, but when you listen to Jake talk about his experiences, you'll really understand how important it is to share it.

A special thank you to Jake Uskoski and a shout out to his mother, Elaine Uskoski who has authored 2 books on the subject (both available on Amazon):

Cyber Sober: A Caregiver’s Guide to Video Gaming Addiction

Seeing Through the Cracks

Please remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode and definitely share this one with someone who needs to hear it... probably your adult child.

Thank you for listening!

💻 Shari's Parenting Course is now OPEN! “Journey to Independence: A Step-by-Step Roadmap to Guiding and Launching Your Adult Child.”

For more information and where to sign up, visit: https://parentingfx.com/parentingcourse

Do you want to know if your adult child is struggling with Failure to Launch? Grab the FREE Failure to Launch Checklist here:

🗣️One-on-One Consultations are available. Click here!

Email me if you have any questions at: Shari@ParentingFX.com

🎙️Remember to hit the SUBSCRIBE button so you never miss an episode.

Shari can be found on Instagram & TikTok Search @sharijonaslifefx

YouTube has all of the interviews available to watch! CLICK HERE...