(Yes, its) Difficult: Mothering Challenging Adult Children -guest, Judith R. Smith (Ep. 360

“Does anybody have a map?...” - That’s a lyric from the show Dear Evan Hansen, sung by the parents of the show’s adolescent children.
If you are a “Mom in the Trenches” of serious mental illness in your child, you also know the feeling - all too well .
Judith R. Smith, (mother, psychotherapist, professor, researcher on women’s issues as they age) noticed that the topic of mothering challenging adult kids was a topic that had no map - at least on the bookshelves.
So she researched, and wrote one, and it’s available this month.
We ask:
Why this book?
What did you learn in your research and interviews with mothers of challenging adult children?
What does shame have to do with it?
“ Unpaid and unrecognized maternal caregiving work continues to limit women’s quality of life” - what can mothers do to help themselves?
Did you learn any tips for helping or handling our challenging adult kids?
“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”
Links:
www.amazon.com/Difficult-Moth...
Twitter: @JudithRSmithPhd
Judith’s facebook page: Difficult Mothering
[e-mail]
Difficult Mothering Website
JASA - for aging services in NYC
Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance
/ sczaction
Who Are the 3 Moms?
Want us to cover a topic? Ask us a question? Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms
Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”, Happier Made Simple)
Miriam Feldman - Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”
Mindy Greiling - member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

[@sarahp.gibson3126]

Judith's book is enlightening and I was excited to finally find a support group. Then I found out she charges $720 (10 sessions) to be in it. Folks need to support themselves but for those of us with limited income who need to make choices...that is a very steep price to pay for a group chat session...

[@katyahoulispeppas8739]

Thank you so much.

[@user-hf1wm9qf9c]

im excited to read the book Difficult

[@edrathephoenix]

Thank you for acknowledging the reality that mothers are almost always blamed. It is not only personal, it is cultural. When searching for your podcast, the number of articles that came up about narcissistic mothers was overwhelming. I am riddle with guilt. I know nature is a huge part of illnesses such as schizophrenia. Yet, the blame goes to mothers.

[@SZ3MomsTrenches]

I agree, sadly, this is often still true. And so many of us are doing all we can to help, with little support or respect

[@MovedtoGreece]

Life is difficult .. my children whether dependent or independent.. well or unwell .. are my life.. when one is struggling .. I struggle too. My door will always be open to them

[@kathymatthews387]

On May 9th I am scheduled to be in a support group with Judith Smith. I am really looking forward to it. This is where I heard about her.
Thank you for what you do!

[@SZ3MomsTrenches]

I’m so glad, Kathy! Thanks

[@seanoconnor1689]

Always look foward to this podcast!

[@susaninman2576]

Absolutely excellent! This is groundbreaking work. Thank you.

[@jeancardoza4442]

Wonderful and important podcast.

[@SZ3MomsTrenches]

thank you!