EP 232: Attachment and Mothering through Life’s Seasons with Bethany Saltman

In this episode, Kimberly and Bethany discuss their reflections and experiences of attachment and mothering their adult children. Bethany describes changes in how she viewed herself and parenting while her daughter became an adult herself while Kimberly shares her experiences mothering her daughter who is about to move out of their home for the first time. They share challenges, frustrations, and confusing moments around their attachment and parenting, particularly as they age themselves. As most parenting content focuses on the early years, this conversation reveals the nuances of what attachment parenting actually is and how they are navigating its challenges while parenting their grown daughters.

 

Bio

Bethany Saltman is a literary agent, mother, wife, zen practitioner, and author of “Strange Situation: A Mother’s Journey Into the Science of Attachment.” She has an extensive background in writing, teaching, publishing, and devotes her time as a literary agent helping people put their stories into the world. She is a long-time friend of Kimberly’s and a repeat podcast guest.

 

What She Shares:

–Different kinds of attachment and the adult  attachment test

–Mothering through seasons

–Generational differences of parenting

–Navigating challenges of mothering adult children

 

What You’ll Hear:

–Different types of attachment

–Securely attached is independent

–Develop through creativity and exploration with secure base

–Flexibility and response with parenting

–Behavior versus attachment

–Parameters for boundaries when discussing children publicly

–Posting children on social media

–Attachment research with adults

–Generational leaps around attachment and development

–Mothering through perimenopause

–Hormonal changes through mothering and phases

–Similarities between toddler and teenage years

–Experiencing the second half of life while mothering

–Values shifting through mothering phases

–Cultural differences around parenting young adults

–Leaving versus staying the nest 

–Generational differences of survival wiring

–Frustrations of parenting adults

–Self-actualization leaving parents’ house

–Adult attachment interview protocol

–Mixed feelings shows secure attachment in adulthood

–Importance of rupture and repair instead of only positive

–Spirituality, religion, and parenting

 

Resources

Website: https://www.bethanysaltman.com/

IG: @bethany_saltman

 

Class

Sign up for Jagamama Summer School here: https://kimberlyannjohnson.com/jagamama/