Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents

This was an insightful and validating read, especially for anyone who has grown up around emotionally immature or unavailable people. I read it and then re-read it after it was recommended to my husband and me, and it helped us better understand certain family dynamics and why they can be so difficult to navigate. The book offered clarity and reassurance, along with practical ways to protect emotional well-being and approach relationships with healthier boundaries. It’s a thoughtful resource for anyone looking to break old patterns and move forward with greater self-awareness and intention.

Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents is a transformative and compassionate guide for those who grew up with emotionally unavailable or self-centered parents. Dr. Lindsay Gibson, a clinical psychologist, offers clear insights into how emotionally immature parenting can leave lasting scars, such as feelings of neglect, confusion, and low self-worth. She identifies four types of emotionally immature parents—emotional, driven, passive, and rejecting—and provides practical strategies for healing, including setting boundaries and recognizing emotionally mature relationships. The book is structured with clarity, making complex psychological concepts accessible. It includes real-life examples and exercises that help readers understand their experiences and begin the journey toward emotional recovery. Dr. Gibson’s empathetic approach empowers readers to reclaim their emotional well-being and build healthier relationships. Whether you’re seeking to understand your past or improve your current relationships, this book offers valuable tools for healing and growth.

This is a MUST READ for anyone who was or suspects they were raised by an immature parent. Gibson is spot on in analyzing the behaviors and explaining the trauma children of immature parents have experienced. She helps readers unravel the mystery in their own behaviors and provides insight and tools for change. Five stars plus!!!!

A page-turner! This book was so helpful for me to understand the dynamics in my family. Presented in a very scholarly way (sighting scholarly references) but very easy to read and understand. Completely with relevant but brief examples. This breaks down the concept of narcissism into a completely neutral and helpful way to process the information. Healing and wonderfully organized.

I liked this book a lot. It was very straightforward, and short & sweet (I usually put off reading but the topic was very important and close to home for me). It seems like a great introductory book, a springboard for learning more about emotionally immature people, and it’s very positive and hopeful in providing guidance for how to deal with them.

I rarely wrote reviews for books but this time I feel I have to. If you feel neglected by your parents when you were young, and you have to cope with your parents’ ego when you got older, and you don’t know what happened to you when you feel so exhausted when you are with your parents, you should read this book. It explains everything about egocentric parents. And after reading it, you would pretty sure that you are not crazy and you will have a new perspective to understand why your parents act like that. It’s enlightening and reassuring to any adult children who have a complicated relationship with their emotionally immature/ unstable parents. Highly recommended.

I’m in love with this book! But I started reading it and the pages started falling out! The book has amazing insight and is very helpful and easy to read!

this book is fantastic. highly recommend.