Hearts Entwined Podcast

Parent & Adult Child Relationships - Lyn Smith & Catherine Hickem

Catherine Hickem · February 5, 2026

Author · Executive Coach · Life Coach · Leadership · Relationshipsin

Interview with Catherine Hickem

Parent & Adult Child Relationships - Lyn Smith & Catherine Hickem

Podcast: Hearts Entwined Podcast

February 5, 2026 · 30 min

Lyn welcomes Catherine Hickem, an author and psychotherapist, to explore the complex dynamics of the parent and adult child relationship. Drawing from her extensive experience in psychotherapy and coaching, Catherine shares insights into the challenges faced by parents of adult…

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Parent & Adult Child Relationships - Lyn Smith & Catherine Hickem

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Key topicsWhy Parents Must Grieve the Child They Imagined to Truly Love the One They HaveParents don’t just raise children-they raise dreams. When those dreams collide with reality, whether through career choices, identity shifts, or unexpected turns, unspoken grief often creeps in. Left unacknowledged, this grief can harden into distance, resentment, or even estrangement. Catherine explains why facing this loss is not only natural but essential: it clears the path for genuine acceptance, deeper love, and healthier adult relationships. Drawing from four decades as a psychotherapist and her own experience as a mother, she brings compassion and clarity to a family dynamic most people feel but rarely discuss-making her a rare and credible voice in helping parents move from disappointment to connection. From Parent to Partner-The Shift Most Families Fail to MakeThe hardest part of parenting isn’t the sleepless nights or teenage rebellion-it’s knowing when to step out of the authority role and step into partnership. Too many parents miss the moment when their child no longer needs direction, but respect. The result is tension, distance, or even estrangement. Catherine breaks down what this transition really requires: letting go of control, learning the art of listening, and showing up as a steady ally in adulthood. With four decades as a psychotherapist and her own lived experience as a mother, she offers a rare blend of candor and compassion that helps parents make the leap from managing their children’s lives to being invited into them. Why Expectations Are the Silent Killers of Parent-Adult Child ConnectionIt’s rarely the big blowups that fracture families-it’s the quiet weight of unspoken expectations. Holiday gatherings, milestone decisions, and even casual conversations often mask assumptions that leave adult children feeling unseen or judged. Over time, those invisible pressures can be more damaging than outright conflict, eroding trust and driving distance. Catherine explains why expectations must be named and dismantled before real connection can thrive, and how parents can trade silent judgment for honest dialogue and healthy boundaries. With decades as a psychotherapist and a mother who has navigated these very dynamics, she offers a candid roadmap for parents ready to stop sabotaging the very relationships they long to protect. View all topics →

About Catherine Hickem

Author, Psychotherapist & Founder of Parenting Adult Children Today

40+ years Licensed psychotherapy experienceThousands Parents guided2024 Founded Parenting Adult Children Today20 years Led The Dash Group

For over 40 years, Catherine Hickem has helped families and leaders navigate emotional complexity with clarity and purpose. A licensed clinical social worker, seasoned psychotherapist, and executive coach, Catherine has worked with thousands of parents and professionals alike—guiding them through seasons of conflict, change, and growth. Her career has spanned both private practice and corporate leadership, including two decades at the helm of The Dash Group, a consultancy focused on developing impactful leaders, healthy cultures, profitable outcomes.

Today, Catherine is leading a national conversation around one of the most overlooked family dynamics: the relationship between parents and their adult children. Despite how common this phase of life is, few resources exist to help parents navigate the transition from authority figure to trusted ally. Meanwhile, 26% of adults aged 18–40 are estranged from at least one parent, a data point that underscores the urgency of Catherine’s work.

Through her platform, Parenting Adult Children Today, she provides resources that are clear-eyed and compassionate, rooted in both clinical experience and personal story. Catherine speaks with empathy and credibility, as a professional who has seen these wounds play out in therapy rooms, and as a mother who has walked the path of reconnection and herself.

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About this episode

Lyn welcomesCatherine Hickem, an author and psychotherapist, to explore the complex dynamics of the parent and adult child relationship.

Drawing from her extensive experience in psychotherapy and coaching, Catherine shares insights into the challenges faced by parents of adult children, particularly in the context of estrangement and communication breakdowns.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The relationship between parents and adult children can be complex, often influenced by past experiences and communication styles

Open and honest communication is crucial in maintaining healthy relationships. When disagreements arise, it's vital to address them rather than allowing them to fester

Mistakes and failures are valuable learning opportunities. Encouraging children to embrace their mistakes promotes resilience and independence, allowing them to grow without fear of failure.

Parents should focus on their own well-being and personal growth, recognising that their value is not solely dependent on their children's actions or opinions

BEST MOMENTS

"Over 50% of adult children do not share their lives with their parents... We now have a 27% estrangement rate in the United States."

"When we don't forgive, we're actually hostage to the very people we're not forgiving."

"It's important that we realise our value isn't dependent upon whether our children agree or disagree with us."

"Your success as a parent isn't based upon how your children turn out."

ABOUT THE GUEST - Catherine Hickem – Author & PsychotherapistCatherine speaks to unspoken expectations and boundary setting in family life, translating that into practical guidance for parents navigating the transition with adult children.

She’s an Author, Psychotherapist & Founder of Parenting Adult Children Today, and brings decades of clinical practice plus lived experience as a parent navigating the same terrain. Her work focuses on helping families move from control to curiosity, and to become a steady presence in their adult children’s lives.TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@parentingadultchildren2d

ABOUT THE HOST

Lyn Smith – (The Queen of HEARTS) – Love, Dating & Relationship Expert

Lyn’s personal story is a very inspirational and harrowing one of how she went from having unhealthy and unfulfilling relationships with men (on the back of several serious traumatic sexual assaults in her teens) to now feeling safe, fulfilled, alive, full of passion and having inner peace.

She has a proven track record as a Love Solutions - Relationship Expert/ Trainer/ Inspirational Speaker and Best-Selling Author based upon her own vast personal research, experiential learning and training with the world’s leading industry experts. Lyn makes a difference by helping you make a difference; she has a vision of contributing back on a global scale.

Contact Method lyn@hearts-entwined.com

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Guest: Catherine Hickem