Recently, I have had a number of people with auto-immune conditions consult with me. Upon digging into their history and personal story, one of the biggest triggers that halts their health progress is related to their personal parent-child interaction. Many of these people have already done massive changes in their nutrition and lifestyle. The major issue has been a lot of hurt feelings and chronic stress around a close relationship that is strained.
My personal relationship with my parents wasn’t that close growing up. They did anything and everything possible to provide for me and my 2 siblings, but my parents weren’t the 2 people that I would go to first if I needed help with something. I would either figure it out myself or go to friends. It’s my own baggage and I am the reason for that distance relationship.
I will say now, as an adult, I’m closer to my mom than I ever have been. Unfortunately, it’s not the case with my dad. His mental capacity at this point in life makes me wonder if he would recognize me or know whom I am, if he spotted me somewhere other than at home.
My wife’s family is much closer. There’s a friendship established with healthy respect between parents and kids. Something that sticks out to me about them is that the kids (now all grown with families of their own) love going ‘home’ even when they don’t have to. I hope to create that with my kids. I want them to come home even when they don’t have to. Don’t get me wrong, they won’t be living under my roof as adults but are free to visit anytime.