[jbug]

Last week when my dad and I were having an argument after we were talking calmly. I had gone to him to apologize for some things I had said in anger.

Anyway he said that it is hard for them (meaning my parents) to deal with me sometimes because of my issues being an adult child. He suggested I read about it so do you guys know of any good websites or books I can read?

Jan

Hello, Jan. I do not have a book. I do think, however, the question is how do adults deal with adults. Your parents do not seem to have accepted your status as an adult with your own preferences and thoughts and not as a child who must obey.

[advena]

Do you mean you are the adult child of an alcoholic/dysfunctional family? That's how I'm used to the term being used. Anyway, if you are, ACA World Service has a website with literature and information about meetings. I used to go to adult children 12 step meetings and found them very healing and helpful.

[Travelinglady]

jbug, what's your definition of being "an adult child"? Thanks....

[gma45]

Does he mean you are an adult with child like attitude?

[Evening]

Ive been told Im considered an adult child too after doing a test during a group. Basically its when you go from being a child who has to act like an adult in a sense, because you are exposed to or forced into situations that a child shouldnt deal with, ie pushed into working/competing, abuse/neglect where you end up needing to look after yourself or someone else in a way a child shouldnt have to, anything that causes you to have to 'grow up'. Then as you get olds you end up going from a child who is an adult to an adult who is a child, in a sense. You dont have that transition from being a child to becoming an adult, so some of those 'childish' traits may stick around in you personality, like depending on others, and not being as good at coping with things emotionally. I dont know if that all made much sense, but I hope it helps a little.

[clouds_and_sun]

(((Jan))) Not quite sure what you mean. I know that sometimes the way I cope with things is like a child. ie: I run away from my problems a lot. I was never properly taught how to cope with negative situations in my life therefore, I act like a child with negative issues a lot of times.

[jbug]

Basically the responses that say that I respond to different situations in a childlike attitude is spot on. Sometimes I feel like a teenager stuck in a 40 year old's body.

I think I am doing better at acting more like an adult except for my TV addiction. I have to have the TV on at all times except for when I am asleep. When I take my afternoon nap I would like the TV on but my mom always comes in and shuts it off.

At least my dad and I haven't argued so things must be doing good.

Jan

[Perna]

Good article: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/149047.php