logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2025
41m 25s

Can Adults Abandon Their Parents?

Calling Home
About this episode

Over 22,000 of you answered my poll questions about abandonment and estrangement. In this episode, I review your responses and discuss what "abandonment" means in the context of adult-child and parent relationships.


As always, thank you so much for contributing to this episode. I love it when we collaborate like this. Let me know your thoughts!


Join The Family Cyclebreakers Club: www.callinghome.co/join


Have a question for Whitney? Call in and leave a voicemail for the show at 866-225-5466.


Follow Whitney on Instagram: www.instagram.com/sitwithwhit


Subscribe to Whitney's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whitneygoodmanlmft

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Up next
Yesterday
Dear Estranged Parents
Whitney speaks directly to estranged parents from her experience working with hundreds of adult children who have cut contact with their families. She addresses common arguments from parents like "I have no idea why this happened," "I did the best I could," and "my children are r ... Show More
37m 42s
Aug 14
Q&A: When Your Family Wants You as Their Human Shield
In this Q&A episode, Whitney addresses a caller whose siblings want them to attend their parents' 50th anniversary trip not out of love, but to serve as a buffer against their abusive parents' dysfunction - and how to handle the pressure when "no" isn't being accepted as an answe ... Show More
16m 50s
Aug 12
Can Emotionally Mature Parents Raise Immature Kids?
In this solo episode, Whitney responds to the question: can emotionally mature parents still raise emotionally immature adult children? She breaks down the research on emotional transmission from parent to child, examining the roles of modeling, contingency responses, and coachin ... Show More
29m 36s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2024
Is Your Family's Disapproval Getting in the Way of Love?
Navigating Family Disapproval in Relationships: Real Love Scenario In this episode of Real Love Scenario, Dre and Rhonda discuss a listener’s challenging situation about family disapproval in her relationship. After surviving domestic violence and a previous traumatic relationshi ... Show More
44m 58s
Mar 2025
Sometimes You Have to Block Meemaw
The girlies explore the increasingly popular act of going “no contact.” In the first of two episodes, they break down the history of severing ties, how the nuclear family is ultimately an economic trap, and why Sophie Lewis argues we should abolish the family altogether. Digressi ... Show More
1h 11m
Oct 2023
Family Tools and Reparenting
Join Dr. Phil and his esteemed parenting and mental health experts as they delve into the nuanced complexities of modern family life. Discover insights on evolving family dynamics, navigating the influence of social media on parenting, and nurturing children's mental and emotiona ... Show More
51m 49s
Apr 2025
Mom’s Gone QAnon
In part two of our no contact series, the girlies zero in on the emotional and psychological fallout of cutting family ties, discussing the rise of no contact as a cultural norm, the complicated path to reconciliation, and the intra-polarization of the American family. Digression ... Show More
1h 18m
Jul 2024
10. Dysfunctional Family Systems: Dynamics and Roles
BOOK IN A FREE CHEMISTRY CALL WITH ME In this episode, we unpack what makes up dysfunctional family systems, exploring general dynamics as well as focusing on some specific roles.  NOTE: Throughout the episode, I refer to "family of origin," however these dynamics and roles apply ... Show More
21m 43s
Nov 2024
What's Your Thanksgiving Mom Personality?: Episode 491
Turkey, traditions and lightning-round fun! In this festive episode, Meagan and Sarah banter through a series of Thanksgiving-themed questions, from favorite dishes to décor and more. We also reflect on how Thanksgiving has evolved for us over the years—sharing stories from child ... Show More
55m 30s
Oct 2024
Will our camping trip ruin our family culture?
Emily and Jason Morrow dive into the importance of family culture and daily rhythms, sharing how these routines create stability—despite the struggle to get it just right. They also give listeners an update on their camping adventure through the Northeast, where the cost of food ... Show More
59m 5s
Nov 2024
The Simple Tool That Will Transform Your Family Dynamic
Today, Mel is sharing exactly what you can do to improve the dynamic within your family.Whether it’s disagreements over politics, someone who always has to be in the center of attention, or just pressure to make the limited time fun, family get-togethers can be hard.You’ll learn ... Show More
58m 35s
Oct 2024
Forces Of Nature: A Conversation On Childhood Trauma with Gina Demillo Wagner
In case you didn't know, we're still making episodes that are available exclusively on Nora's Substack! We wanted to give all of our listeners a little preview of our most recent episode! Consider joining Nora's Substack to listen to the rest of the episode, get additional bonus ... Show More
24m 2s
Jun 2021
126: Family Brand: How to Establish The Culture and Values You Want in Your Family
In 2020, Chris and Melissa Smith started the podcast and website Family Brand, to help families figure out what they want to stand for and be remembered by. Having a family brand is a way to strengthen your family. Since then, they’ve taken dozens of families through their traini ... Show More
42m 4s