Fairly intellectual, seeking a better understanding of healthy parent/child separation and independence. Hoping for suggestions that are smart, practical, and non-religious.
For the parent or the child?
Both parent and child are intelligent, legally adult, and struggling as they approach the child’s departure from the nest.
The LaunchingYears: Strategies for Parenting from Senior year to College Life, by Laura Kastner and Jennifer Wyatt.
Disclaimer - I have not read this book myself, but one of the authors came and spoke to a parents group in my city and she was terrific. She presented a lot of useful information and some great perspective. Several people I know read the book and found it very useful. It’s also well reviewed.
It is a huge transition for both parent and child. My only child is in her freshman year of college far away, so I get it. It has been difficult, but also wonderful in some unexpected ways for all of us. It’s amazing to witness your kid thriving in the world without you there on a daily basis, while also acknowledging that a little struggle and difficulty is part of the process of growing up.
Our son left the nest for boarding school at 14. Adult beverages helped. 