Seekers of Meaning 6/28/2024: Dr. Judith Smith, author of “Difficult: Mothering Difficult Adult Children Through Conflict and Change”

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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Dr. Judith Smith discusses her new book, Difficult: Mothering Difficult Adult Children Through Conflict and Change.

Difficult brings to life the conflicts that arise for mothers who are confronted with the unexpected, burdensome, and even catastrophic dependencies of their adult children associated with mental illness, substance use, or chronic unemployment. Through real stories of mothers and their challenging adult children, this book offers relatable, provocative, and, at times, shocking illustrations of the excruciating maternal dilemma: Which takes precedence—the needs of the mother or of the distressed adult child?

With guidance for finding social support, staying safe, engaging in self-care, and helping the adult child, Difficult is a compassionate resource for those living in a family situation which too many keep secret and allows readers to see that they are not alone.

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About the Guest

Judith R. Smith, Ph.D., LCSW

Judith R. Smith, Ph.D., LCSW, is a NYC based psychotherapist, professor, and researcher on women’s issues as they age. She is a professor, Emerita, at Fordham University. She offers support groups on-line for mothers with difficult adult children. Her book, Difficult: Mothering Challenging Adult Children through Conflict and Change, is based on a three-year research project, and brings to life the stories of fifty women, each over sixty years old, whose lives were drastically altered by becoming the default safety net for their adult “kids.” To learn more, please visit: https://www.difficultmothering.com

The post Seekers of Meaning 6/28/2024: Dr. Judith Smith, author of “Difficult: Mothering Difficult Adult Children Through Conflict and Change” appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.