Why It's So Hard to Say No to a Struggling Adult Child

So, when your adult child is hurting, your brain often responds as if it is your responsibility to make their pain go away. Instead, start asking, "What can I do to help my adult child grow and gain more healthy independence?" For example, you may resist saying no because you are afraid your adult child will go radio silent and stop communicating with you. And, worse, your adult child misses opportunities for growth and navigating life's challenges. The TakeawayThe goal is not to love your adult child less, but rather to help them differently.