General · 2 February 2026
How should parents treat adult children as adolescence lasts into 30s?
Psychotherapist Julia Samuel reveals adolescence now extends into the 30s, urging parents to transition from "anxious managers" to "respectful witnesses." She recounts a painful relationship crisis when her daughter turned 18, illustrating the challenge. Supporting cases highlight complex adult dynamics, including sibling estrangement between sons aged 33 and 29, and divorce affecting children in their 20s. Experts emphasize that parenting roles must evolve as offspring navigate this prolonged developmental phase.
Reported by Guardian · How we write briefs