The Parent Pivot Podcast

The “Angry” Daughter-in-Law — Or Is She Just Alone?

What if the “difficult” daughter-in-law in your family… isn’t angry at all?
What if she’s just alone?
In this week’s episode of The Parent Pivot Podcast, we unpack a powerful reflection called the “Angry Daughter-in-Law Theory.”
We talk about what really happens when someone marries into an established family system — the inside jokes, the unspoken rules, the old loyalties — and how easy it is to label someone as “too sensitive” or “too much” instead of asking deeper questions.
If you have married children — or hope to one day — this conversation might change the way you see your in-law forever.
Because pivoting from parent to partner sometimes begins with empathy.
 
Need someone to talk to about your adult child relationship? Call or text Julia at 714-392-2060 for a FREE consultation. Or visit: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com
 

When Generosity Backfires: Tough Love, Adult Kids & Going "Full Miyagi"

What do you do when your adult child costs you a boatload of money?
A wrecked car.A bailout.Another “can you help me just this once?”
As parents, we want to be generous. But what happens when generosity turns into enabling? And how do you pivot when your adult child needs more than grace — they need growth?
In this episode of The Parent Pivot Podcast, we talk about a powerful moment from a recent workshop where a mom admitted she hadn’t always been the parent her son needed… and decided it was time to “go full Miyagi.”
We unpack tough love, ownership, financial boundaries, adult children living at home, and why clear communication matters more than control.
Sometimes the most loving thing you can do… is teach discipline with humility.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re being too generous — or not generous enough — this conversation is for you.
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Sometime just have a conversation with someone to process with brings validation and relieves those feelings of guilt, anxiety and frustration.  We are here to help.  Call or text Julia at 714-392-2060 for a FREE consultation. Or visit: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com.
Also - pick up a copy of "The Parent Pivot: 13 Principles for Building Stronger Relationships with Your Adult Children" by Steve and Julia. Available for $9.99 on Amazon.

Bite Your Tongue: When Your Adult Child Parents Differently Than You Would

What do you do when your adult child starts parenting in ways you completely disagree with?
Maybe it’s gentle parenting. Maybe it’s food rules. Bedtime. Discipline. Screen time. And you’re sitting there thinking… “We would never have done it that way.”
Here’s the harder question:Do you want to be right… or do you want a relationship?
In this episode of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia talk honestly about biting your tongue, respecting your adult child’s authority, avoiding triangulation in their marriage, and learning how to pivot from parent to partner.
If you’re a grandparent — or you will be someday — this conversation could save your family from unnecessary fractures.
Listen now and learn how to stay connected without stepping over the line.
Resources mentioned on this podcast:
1. "The Parent Pivot: 13 Principles for Building Stronger Relationships with Your Adult Children"
2. Need someone to talk to about your adult child relationship? Call or text Julia at 714-392-2060 for a FREE consultation. Or visit: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com
 

"Best of the Parent Pivot Podcast" - Interview with Gill Tillmann

Let's face it . . . not only is there NOT instructions handed to new parents by the doctor explaining "what to do" when you leave the hospital and take your baby home.
The same can also be said when your adult kids leave home. Where's the "partner manual"? Where do you go to find out how to make the pivot from parent to partner? We got you on this one!
On this "Best of The Parent Pivot Podcast," Steve and Julia interview Gill Tillmann, author of the book, "Pour the Wine: We're Talking About Our Adult Children . . . Again".
Sit back, relax and pull up a chair and join us for this delightful conversation about "life after parenting."
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/fished.my.wish/?hl=en
Pour the Wine - book

Repair Work Starts with Looking in the Mirror

Looking back at raising your kids brings both joys and sorrows.  Often times we see how we could have done things better - or maybe how we messed up.
On this edition of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia give us some practical counsel on how we can do some repair work to strengthen our relationship with our adult kids.  
Resources mentioned on today's podcast:
1. "I Know a Guy" podcast with Steve Cummings - a ministry for men from www.BringingKingdom.org.
2. Subscribe to Steve's free Substack newsletter here.
Need someone to talk to about your adult child relationship? Call or text Julia at 714-392-2060 for a FREE consultation. Or visit: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com
 

Partners of Prodigals, This One's for You!: Interview with Dr. James Banks

On the next Parent Pivot Podcast, Dr. James Banks joins us with a story every parent needs to hear. He opens up about his son Geoff — a bright, likable kid who spiraled into addiction and walked far from faith… and the raw, hard years his family lived through as they prayed without giving up.
Dr. Banks shares what it really looked like to trust God through fear, anger, shame, and unanswered prayers — and how, through grace and love, Geoff not only came back — he discovered purpose and now serves in ministry alongside his dad.
If you’re carrying hope for a prodigal — or praying for a relationship that feels lost — this conversation will encourage your heart and renew your faith that hope really does lie ahead.
Resources mentioned on this podcast:
1. "Prayers for Prodigals" by Dr. James Banks.
2. "Hope Lies Ahead: Encouragement for Parents of Prodigals From a Family That's Been There" by James Banks & Geoff Banks
3. www.jamesbanks.org
4. Other books by James Banks.
Need someone to talk to about your adult child relationship? Call or text Julia at 714-392-2060 for a FREE consultation. Or visit: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com
For speaking engagements on marriage, parenting, men's and women's identity issues, contact Julia at: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com and Steve at: www.bringingkingdom.org
 

"My Adult Child Won't Speak to Me!" - Interview with Dr. Ken Canfield and Dr. Michelle Watson-Canfield

One of the pains of our hearts is when we hear from our listeners that their is a broken relationship with an adult child.  Maybe they have cut-off all communication and Mom & Dad are left wondering, "What can we do?"
On this edition of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia welcome Dr. Ken Canfield and his wife Dr. Michelle Watson-Canfield to the podcast to dive deeper into this subject and bring hope to hurting pivoting partners.
If you have an adult child who is not speaking to you, or know someone who is going through this, this podcast is for you/them.  Please share it, rate it, and write a review.
[Podcast production note: We apologize for the change in audio about halfway through. We lost internet connection to our recording platform and had to use our laptop speakers as mic's.]
Resources mentioned on this podcast:
1. "Let’s Talk: Conversation starters for Dads & Daughters" by Dr. Michelle Watson-Canfield.
2. "Forgiving the Unforgiveable" by Beverly Flanagan
3. For a FREE copy of the 6-step process Dr.Michelle mentioned on today's podcast -  A PROCESS FOR FORGIVENESS - send us an email: parentpivotpodcast@gmail.com and we will send it to you
Need someone to talk to about your adult child relationship? Call or text Julia at 714-392-2060 for a FREE consultation. Or visit: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com
 
Background on today's guests:
Ken Canfield PhD, is a nationally-known leader and scholar, and has committed his life to strengthening fathers and families. He founded and is president of the National Center for Fathering (www.fathers.com), as well as the National Association for Grandparenting (www.grandkidsmatter.org), and continues to engage in several organizations dedicated to improving family well-being.
Michelle Watson Canfield, PhD, LPC, is a national speaker, author, professional counselor of 30 years, and founder of The Abba Project, a nine-month group forum for dads whose daughters are in their teens and 20’s.  She writes guest articles regularly for journals and magazines as well as her own bi-monthly Dad-Daughter Friday blog, and is the host the award-winning The Dad Whisperer Podcast.

Best of The Parent Pivot Podcast: Musings of an Adult Child: Interview with Steve & Julia Cummings

If you've ever wanted to be a "fly on the wall" of a real-life, real-time, intimate conversation with pivoting partners and their adult child - this is the podcast you will be glad you heard.
The tables get turned on Steve and Julia on this episode of The Parent Pivot Podcast when their daughter Jamilyn interviews them about a variety of issues she is facing as their adult child living under their roof.  Real life conversations with adult children in real time! 
Don't miss it - and then share it with your adult child.
Mentioned on the podcast:
18 year-old Jamilyn does Dance Dares in the Airport.
https://www.instagram.com/heyitsjamilynjoy/
https://www.youtube.com/@heyitsjamilynjoy
Quote from Jim Carrey on depression:  “I believe depression is legitimate. But I also believe that if you don’t exercise, eat nutritious food, get sunlight, consume positive material, surround yourself with support, then you aren’t giving yourself a fighting chance.” 

For 2026 - Take the 30,000 Foot View!

A new year has begun—and so has a new season of The Parent Pivot Podcast.
After a season of loss, reflection, and hard conversations, we are back with a powerful reminder for parents of adult children.
Today we talk about grief, legacy, forgiveness, and what really matters when the noise fades.
How do you stop majoring on the minors?How do you keep short accounts with your adult kids?And what kind of parent do you want them to remember when you’re gone?
This conversation will challenge you to pivot—from control to connection, from parenting to partnering.  If you want healthier relationships with your adult children in 2026, this episode is for you.

Best of The Parent Pivot Podcast: "Mammas, Don't Let Your Sons Grow Up . . . NOT!”

Pivoting from "Mamma parent" to "Mamma partner" can be one of the toughest things you'll ever have to do - especially if you have an adult son.
On this Best of The Parent Pivot Podcast, Steve and Julia discuss the unique dynamics of the Mother/Son relationship and what you want that to look like as they start their own life without you as the #1 woman in their life. It's not a sad story and doesn't have to be. Find out how to see the joy in this next season.
 
Resources mentioned on this podcast:
1. "A Tale of Two Brains - Men's Brain Women's Brain" - Mark Gungor. 
2. "The Parent Pivot" - by Steve and Julia Cummings. 
Need someone to talk to about your adult child relationship? Call or text Julia at 714-392-2060 for a FREE consultation. Or visit: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com
For speaking engagements on marriage, parenting, men's and women's identity issues, contact Julia at: www.meadowbrookcounselingga.com and Steve at: www.bringingkingdom.org