Being a parent is one of the most rewarding—and difficult—experiences of a lifetime; at times as bewildering and isolating as it can be joyous. This retreat series is for those for whom relating to adult children has been a challenge at times. If you are weary, finding yourself in unhealthy loops, and you’re ready to move into a more healing and respectful way of being, we welcome you to join us.
Drawing from the powerful Courage & Renewal approach, particularly centering our Touchstones as essential tools, this practice-focused series will support holding tension in life-giving ways, moving away from “what is being done to me” to “who are we in relationship with one another.” We’ll also reflect on how to move away from being caught in a net of blame, shame, and guilt.
Through large group, small group, and individual reflection, along with wisdom stories, creative expression, poetry and body-awareness practices, we will:
- Explore the both/and of loving well with healthy boundaries.
- Surface our fears and feelings, risking being vulnerable in trustworthy space.
- Discover aspects of ourselves that are hidden in the shadows—that is, examine how our irritation for our adult children might reveal a hidden part of ourselves.
- Uncover our motivations, assumptions and expectations.
- Form strong connections with others to find peace and solace.
- Live into our own unclaimed lives, defining ourselves beyond our relationships with our children.
- Get ourselves out of the way!
Recognizing that these kinds of shifts take time—difficult patterns didn’t “become” overnight—we will support participants through monthly peer learning circles. In these small, supported groups between the two retreats, you’ll have a chance to engage in deeper work.
If you’re ready for a shift in a more positive direction and want to go deeper, we hope you join us. And take note: if you are struggling with something very raw and/or recent, please reach out to us in advance to discern whether this retreat series is for you.
Bridging Generations will be grounded in the Courage & Renewal® approach which you can learn more about in Parker J. Palmer’s book, A Hidden Wholeness. All are welcome.
The Center for Courage & Renewal and its facilitators do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, and marital status.
