When a baby arrives, amidst the tiny onesies, mountains of diapers, and soft plushies, there is a family whose structure is reorganizing. While all eyes and attention are turned to the baby, in between the comments about who they look like, cooing, and swaddling, the hierarchy and roles are repositioning. The adult child (new parent) becomes the primary decision-maker. The new grandparent moves from a place of authority into a supporting role. This transformation happens whether everyone has agreed to it or not, and frequently before anyone has had a chance to talk about what they actually want.
When Adult Children Don’t Go “No Contact”
The overlooked psychology of remaining in difficult relationships and choosing healthy enough over estrangement.