Done With The Crying: Help and Healing for Mothers of Estranged Adult Children

by Sheri McGregor

Overview

In Done With The Crying: Help and Healing for Mothers of Estranged Adult Children, Sheri McGregor, M.A., helps kind and supportive parents who know they did their best to break free from emotional pain—and move forward in their own lives.

As a loving mother to whom the unthinkable happened, McGregor knows the horrible shock that wrings a parent dry, triggers denial, blame, anger, and shame. With empathy and understanding, as well as tools, the latest research, and insight from more than 9,000 parents of estranged adult children, McGregor helps parents of estranged adults plan ahead, prepare for emotional triggers, and prevail over setbacks and pain.

You can be happy again. In a calm yet authoritative voice, and with exercises derived from her work as a life coach and her own recovery, McGregor helps mothers who did their best to come to terms with their estranged adult child’s choices, and regain their health and happiness.

To fathers of estranged adult children—this book can help you, too. “Ninety-three percent of the parents who answer my survey at RejectedParents.Net are mothers,” says Sheri McGregor. “That’s why the title is directed at them. But many of book’s examples are from couples, and include the experiences of fathers. Some passages directly highlight men’s reactions, including my husband’s. The principles presented are relevant to fathers, and the strategies for coping can be used by anyone.”

In this encouraging and comprehensive book, McGregor fully covers the phenomenon of estranged adult children from families who never expected a son or daughter to cut ties and walk away.

Nine in-depth chapters provide dozens of inspiring examples from among the thousands of parents of estranged adult children. Gain understanding and practical help from a mother who knows the pain of this devastating loss with all its uncertainty and heartache. Hope can remain, but you don’t have to stay stalled, forever waiting. You can move past the disbelief and distress. Take charge. Reclaim yourself and your life—only maybe even better.

The latest research, helpful exercises, reflection prompts, and dozens of real-life examples, cover the following topics and more:

Managing the shock of "The Early Daze."

Answering the gnawing, "Why?" Reasons for the growing trend of estranged adult children from loving famlies.

Getting needed support for this often misundersood problem.

Managing the persistent and ambiguous nature of loss from estrangement.

The emotional impact--it's far-reaching and insidious.

Managing the Effects on the Family.

What it means to reconcile.

Life Goes On. Estate planning, end-of-life decisions, grandparents' rights, and other considerations.

Moving forward in a meaningful life.

Sheri McGregor has a Master's Degree in Human Behavior and is a certified life coach. Her work for parents of estranged adults began at her blog, RejectedParents.Net. As a writer whose soothing words help others heal, she has become a powerful and compassionate voice for parents of estranged adult children.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780997352207
Publisher:	Sowing Creek Press
Publication date:	05/02/2016
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	30,841
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Sheri McGregor holds a Master's Degree in human behavior, and is a certified life coach. She serves on the advisory board for National University's College of Letters and Sciences. McGregor's articles on psychology, health, and a variety of other topics have appeared in dozens of national and international publications. She has also written for anthologies, websites, and organizations. Best known for her hiking books, McGregor leads readers down the trails with descriptions that reveal her appreciation for nature and how it calms the mind. Her work to help parents of estranged adult children began at RejectedParents.NET, which she founded in late 2012. As a writer whose soothing words help others heal, Sheri McGregor has become a powerful voice for the parents of estranged adult children.

Table of Contents

Preface and Introduction: (Why I Wrote the Book: The Short Answer; The Whole Story: How This Book Came To Be; Who This Book Is For; A Note To Fathers; Organizing Your Progress; Preparing for Success; Identity Protection; Turning a New Page). CH1: The Early Daze (A State of Shock; The Haze of Emotions; Give Voice to Your Experience; Don't Be Hasty; Have I Lost My Mind? Not Likely; Reaching Out? Or Withdrawing? Both Are Normal; Coping Mindfully; Observe, And Then Make a Plan; Start Healing: Three Things to Remember; What's Next?; Know Your Feelings: Moving Ahead for Your Own Good;). CH2. Why? (Mothers Blame Themselves; Are Cultural Shifts to Blame?; Influential Adversaries; Substance Abuse; Mental Disorders; The Hard Truth, And Sad Speculation; Ambushed; Is Estrangement in the Genes?; Remember the Good You Did; What Now?; Another Perspective: Bookmark It!; Power Up a Positive Outlook: Three Steps). CH3: Get the Support You Need (Strength in Numbers; Getting Immediate Help; Closed Door Support; Setting Strong Goals; Go For a Smart Goal That Supports You; Goals Are Transformative; Among Friends: Plan Ahead; Making New Friends; Ready Responses; Faith-based Support; An Empowering View; Depression and Guilt; At Your Best). CH4: Ready, Set, Prepare (How Has Estrangement Changed You?; Take Stock; The Pain of Hope; Life Brings Dilemmas; Emotional Triggers; One, Two, Three--Get Free; Stay Mindful; Lovely Path Or Rut of Despair?; Pain Management; Another Perspective: Kids Who Don't Fit; Visualize Your Child's Happy Life). CH5. See Your Feelings in a New Light (Life Includes Loss; The Landscape of Loss is Fertile Ground For Growth; Help Wanted? Help Yourself; The Waiting Game; Sadness Hurts, So Take Care). CH6: Managing the Effects On the Family (A United Front; Couples Tips; The Blame Game; How Fathers Relate; Leaning On One Another; You and Your Other Children; Extended Family; The Social Media Conundrum; A Better Experience; The Shape of Your Family). CH7: What Does It Mean to Reconcile (Hurtful Hope, And Boundaries; Precautions for Meetings; A Broken Heart; Coming to Terms With Reality; Examining Your Relationship; An Apology Letter: Should You Write One?; Boundaries: Setting Your Own Terms; Agreeing to Disagree; Exhausting All Efforts; Reconciling: What It Means/What It Takes). CH8: Life Goes On (What Rights do Grandparents Have?; End of Life Decisions:Who Is Your Next of Kin?; Your Estate: Who Benefits?; Nearing the End of Life: Will Your Adult Child Be Informed?; Other Considerations; This Is Your Time; In Sickness and In Health; On Your Own: Taking Care of Yourself; The Golden Years). CH9: Walk Forward (Play the Hand You're Dealt; Walking Forward; Who Are You Really?/What's Your Mission?; Be Resilient; Take Notice and Savor; Look How Far You've Come; Sunlight Ahead; Practical Steps for Your Bright Future). PostScript. NOTES. INDEX.

Editorial Reviews

"Thank you for Done With The Crying: Help and Healing for Mothers of Estranged Adult Children. The book is a must read for parents of estranged adult children and mental health professionals working with these families. Sheri McGregor's work is a breath of fresh air offering a new perspective and providing support, encouragement, resources, and compassion to good parents that have found themselves in an unimaginable situation." ----Maritza Parks, LMHC, Inspired Journey Counseling

"While Mothers are mentioned on the cover, dads, this is for you too! Done with the Crying is for any (and all) family member who wants to heal and move forward. This wonderful book will help you see how you can hold your chin up high, dry your eyes, and get on with your life." ----Joi Sigers, Self Help Daily.com



"Done With the Crying also provides much time for reflection, for taking time to think about ones life and to read the stories of other women who are going through a similar situation. The book is easy to read, and provides much support and insight in a gentle and understanding way." ---Hennie Weiss, M.A., Metapsychology Online Reviews



"This is my best resource to assist families whose adult children have rejected them. In my role as a family life educator, I work with those affected by a loved one's mental illness, and the sad phenomenon of estrangement is rampant. I've searched for resources and education, but there is precious little available to help rejected parents move forward. It did not take me many pages in to see the value for my work, and I often recommend this compassionately written book to parents and families who are in so much pain." ---Mara J. Briere, MA CFLE, President and Founder, Grow a Strong Family, Inc.

From the Publisher