Boulder JCC Programs
Exchange: When Did Parenting Get So Complicated?
Problems Registering? Contact Amilia Suport
amiliasupport@boulderjcc.org
Details
Wednesdays, April 15 - 29 | 10 am - 12 pm | $36 | 3 weeks
Instructor: Kathleen Friend, MD
You raised your children, survived the teenage years, and somehow got them launched into adulthood. So why does talking with them now sometimes feel like walking through an emotional minefield?
This course, led by psychiatrist Kathleen Friend, is for parents of adult children, grandparents who love their adult children deeply but feel confused, hurt, or sidelined by shifting roles, different parenting styles, unspoken expectations, or the dreaded “unsolicited advice” moment. (You are trying to help. They heard criticism.)
With warmth, insight, and a touch of humor, this course helps you understand what’s really going on beneath the surface, learn how to communicate without triggering defensiveness, and reconnect in ways that feel authentic, respectful, and loving. You gain practical tools to strengthen trust, navigate boundaries, and stay meaningfully involved—without biting your tongue or walking on eggshells.
About your Instructor
Dr. Kathleen Friend is a psychiatrist with decades of experience supporting families. Integrative Psychiatry of the Rockies is her practice in Boulder, focusing on functional medicine and natural solutions for mental health issues. She is also the author of The Greatness Chair, a beloved book that helps children and adults alike recognize their unique gifts. Drawing from her work in psychiatry, parent coaching, and public speaking, Dr. Friend brings both practical skills and heartfelt wisdom to her teaching. As a mother and grandmother herself, she understands the joys and challenges of the role, and she is passionate about helping grandparents nurture strong, loving connections across generations.
