I have worked for over 25 years as a Family Therapist, researcher and trainer with Childrens' Mental Health in Canada. Given that my career has taken a new twist with a move to Western Australia, I am capitalizing on this opportunity to create a new project this year - a blog called stillparentingadultkids.wordpress.com

Parenting is now extending well beyond the old norm of "Ok, we're pretty much done when they're 18, from there they should have the skills to get on with it - maybe with a bit of financing for education when they leave home". Now it's "25 is the new 20" or even "30 is the new 20" - YIKES! The research is growing.

This stage of Emerging Adulthood is the core of my life these days and with a clinical background and lots of friends encouraging that I actually get writing about many conversations on the topic, I have decided to jump in and get down to writing those commentaries: "Really, You Are Not THAT Special", "The Evolution of Sex Education - Sleepovers?", "If Bulls--t Gets You A Solid Pass, What Can Happen With A Bit Of Effort?", "Is Mom The Default House Elf - The Evolution Of Chores" and "Yes There Is Hope - We Do Enjoy And Like Each Other - Sometimes". Still not sure if I will get that rebuttle in writing from my friend's son: "Yes, I Am That Special!" but I am hopeful to get some young people to add their opinions. And I look forward to "All The Money Has Fallen Off The Money Tree", as promised by a friend - a father. This is not just for moms.

How to Love'em and Launch'em? For now we use our best guess, muddling along doing what our judgement, desperation, reading, consultation with friends, and current energy based on our level of middle-aged parental burnout, suggests is best on any given day. I will track the emerging research and share it as I go.

Enjoy!