The Mother-Son relationship

Jonathan Nadlman, MFT Psychotherapist, shares advice for moms on how they can build a strong, lasting relationship with their adolescent son
Raising Boys | How To Build A Strong Mother-Son Relationship
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The Mother-Son relationship

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One of the central things that I try to address with parents of adolescents and preteens, is I try to remind mothers, that the love relationship between a mother and a son, is the most difficult relationship there is. The most intense relationship there is, only for this reason; the goal is separation. It's an odd thing to think about. But as our son's are taking their first steps, they are taking their steps away from mom; into school, into college, into their first love relationship, and into fatherhood. Often times -- and maybe this is stereotypical -- different for women, in the sense that, what is the saying? "Your daughter is your daughter for life. Your son is your son until he takes a wife." It is a very necessary move away, at 12 or 13, from the protective and nurturing arms of mom; and a guidance and supportive relationship that needs to happen; which means that death needs to occur. Simultaneously, is that deep, deep knowledge that our mothers, our the seers. So there's that tension that grows exponentially around adolescence and teen, when are children are trying to become more independent. They want to become independent from mom.

Jonathan Nadlman, MFT Psychotherapist, shares advice for moms on how they can build a strong, lasting relationship with their adolescent son

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Jonathan Nadlman, MFT

Psychotherapist

Jonathan Nadlman, MFT, is a licensed psychotherapist in private practice since 1995, and has been counseling adults, couples, young people and their families for twenty-four years.  For the past seven years, he has been teaching Human Development and puberty as a rite-of-passage at many independent schools. Jonathan was the supervising therapist at Pacific Hills Middle and High School for six years. In addition, he is a facilitator of rites-of-passage workshops for adolescents teens and adults.  When he is not working, he can be found trying to change wood into art, learning his djembe, or in the garden with his wife and seven year old daughter. Or on occasion, if there's a swell, riding the California surf.

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