Blaming yourself might be the biggest mistake you’re making—and it’s hurting both you and your child.

If you’ve found yourself lying in bed at night, racked with guilt over your adult child’s struggles, you’re not alone. That inner voice whispering, “Where did I go wrong?” can be relentless. But here’s the truth—it’s time to stop carrying a burden that was never meant to be yours.
Blaming yourself for their failure to thrive not only keeps you stuck in emotional quicksand, but it also prevents your child from stepping into their own responsibility. Parenting never really ends, but it definitely changes. The sooner you stop trying to rewrite their story with your guilt, the sooner you’ll both find room to grow and heal. Let’s walk through the reasons their struggles are not your fault—so you can finally let yourself off the hook.