Every connection has room for improvement. Looking honestly at your interactions with your adult child helps you understand your current relationship and how you can make it better.
Think about what's going well with your child. If there's a problem, it can be easy to focus on that and miss the positive aspects of the relationship. Be honest about your role as well. You might notice behaviors from your child that strain the relationship, but it's possible your behaviors also contribute to the tension.
You have more control over your actions, so looking for ways to improve on your part could be more effective. Being open with your communication can help improve your relationship with your adult children.
Posing the question of how they feel about it shows them you care and you're willing to listen. You might hear opinions you didn't know your adult children had, which can help you make changes to the relationship.
When you ask for their feedback, listen without judgment and without interrupting. Avoid getting defensive if they bring up concerns. You can share your side, but keep it positive. As an older adult, you have lots of real-world experience and advice to offer. It's natural to want to help your children with that knowledge. However, offering unsolicited advice can put a strain on the relationship. Your adult children want to make their own decisions.
