Beyond Empty Nest

How to Parent Adult Children Without Losing Your Mind (or the Relationship)

Jodi Silverman Season 5 Episode 127

Text us 1 takeaway from this episode (don’t forget the episode #). We read every message—even if we can’t reply!🥺

Are you walking on eggshells around your adult child—or wishing they’d just call more often? In this heart-opening episode of Beyond Empty Nest, Jodi is joined by Esther Goetz of Moms of Bigs to tackle the unspoken grief, guilt, and emotional gymnastics of parenting “bigs.”

If you’ve ever tried to fix or force connection with your grown-up kids and felt it backfire, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, we explore:

  • Why control and closeness don’t mix
  • How to shift from “What if” worry to “I wonder” curiosity
  • The power of roots and wings in adult-child relationships
  • What it really means to invite, not demand
  • How to stay connected—without overstepping


Top Takeaways:

  • Use the phrase “I’ll follow your lead” to build trust
  • Practice “Zippy the Lippy” to replace demands with invitations
  • Connection grows when we drop the agenda and get curious


Resources & Links:

  • 🌟 Join the Dare On Membership: Moms Who Double Dare
  • ✨ Get started on empowering your adult children by making this shift HERE


💖 Follow Esther: Moms of Bigs on Instagram

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DISCLAIMER: The commentary and opinions available on this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and not for the purpose of providing medical, physical, or psychological advice. You should contact a trained medical professional before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine and with respect to any particular issue or problem.