Difficult

Acknowledgements

Author’s Note

Part One Intro– Through A Mother’s Eyes

Chapter 1: What is a Difficult Adult Child?

Chapter 2: Once a Mother, Always a Mother?

Chapter 3: Give Me Shelter

Chapter 4: Shame and Blame

Chapter 5: Torn in Two

Chapter 6: Mental Illness in the Family

Chapter 7: Who Cares for the Mentally Ill?

Chapter 8: Substance Abuse in the Family

Chapter 9: Chromic Sorrow

Chapter 10: Violence in the Family

Chapter 11: Pain of the Past

Part Two Intro– Small Steps

Chapter 12: Stages of Change

Chapter 13: Seeing and Not Seeing

Chapter 14: Self-Assessment

Part Three Intro– Helping yourself

Chapter 15: Social Support

Chapter 16: Self-care

Chapter 17: Staying Safe

Chapter 18: Helping Your Adult Child Get Help

Chapter 19: What comes next?

Appendix A: Resources for Mothers and Adult Children

Appendix B: Research Methodology

Appendix C: The Mothers



Difficult: Mothering through conflict and commitment

Table of Contents

NotesIndex

About the Author