Have you ever noticed that when you look in the Parenting section at Barnes and Noble, or if you search “parenting” on amazon.com, you get a plethora of publications for expectant moms and dads and parents of infants and toddlers, and you find quite a lot of support out there for parents of teens and perhaps for children with special needs, but you don’t find many choices for those of us who are parents of twenty-somethings. I believe there are more being published as we speak, and I hope to be adding my own selection to that part of the bookshelf soon.
There are some good books out there, however. They are not necessarily focused on parenting, but they educate, provide perspective, present healthy challenges and offer wisdom to those of us who are parenting in the second half of life. Here are five of my favorites.
Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life, by Dr. James Hollis.
James Hollis is a Jungian analyst who presents wonderfully relevant and challenging ideas in a very readable style. There is heavy material here, but most readers will find they can
connect to his message. There is a chapter specifically on family relationships, which you will find to be pertinent to the dynamics between parents and young adult children.
connect to his message. There is a chapter specifically on family relationships, which you will find to be pertinent to the dynamics between parents and young adult children.
Twenty-Something, Twenty-Everything, by Christina Hassler
This book was written when the author was a 20-something herself, and was written primarily for 20-something young women. I have found it to be educational and tremendously human in its approach. She includes pieces from mothers of twenty-somethings in the sidebars, highlighting interesting differences between the two generations.
Emerging Adulthood, by Dr. Jeffry Arnett
Dr. Arnett is a Professor who has specialized in research on this age group, and coined the “Emerging Adult” term. The book is tremendously informative, helping readers to understand the many challenges for this group of twenty-somethings, and going a long way toward answering the question, “Why do these young men and women seem to be doing life so differently than what we have known up to now?”
When Parents Hurt, by Dr. Joshua Coleman
Dr. Coleman is popular in the media, helping parents and families in all stages of life. In this book he focuses on very real and deeply hurtful parts of the parent/child connection, and presents strategies, hope and wisdom for mothers and fathers who have felt pain in these relationships.
Gift From the Sea, by Anne Morrow Lindberg.
This 1955 classic is worth reading again and again, at least once in each stage of the family's development. I consider it a real treat, and add it to this list as a reminder to any of you who haven’t read it for a while. Make a cup of tea, put your feet up, and soak it in...
In a future blog entry, I will be listing favorite on-line resources. Your recommendations are welcome. Please send them along. There is a lot out there, and I would never presume to know about all of them.
2 comments:
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