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/

Summary

In this episode, Kimberly interviews her favorite podcast guest–her daughter Cece! Cece’s last podcast episode was four years ago, so she shares her reflections around graduating highschool, her college application process, and her experiences as being Kimberly’s daughter. She also turns the mic back to Kimberly to ask Kimberly her own reflections on life’s various stages, single parenting, and what she wants her work to look like after Cece flies the nest.

Bio

Cece, Kimberly's daughter, is a 17 year old high school graduate and vocalist.

What She Shares:

–Cece’s college application process

–Reflections on being Kimberly’s daughter

–Decisions around college and major

–Cece interviews Kimberly

What You’ll Hear:

–Graduating highschool

–How Cece feels being apart of Kimberly’s “brand”

–Why Cece wants to go to college

–Highly academic highschool

–Where Cece will attend college

–Applying to various colleges

–Ranking safety schools, match schools, and reach schools

–Writing college application essays

–Cultural neuroses of applying to colleges

–Kimberly’s experience of college applications

–Reflections on being an only child

–Wanting a sibling

–Being the focus as an only child

–Thoughts on being Kimberly’s daughter

–How Cece feels leaving home

–Excited about moving to Scotland

–Navigating the current political climate

–Kimberly’s reflections about being a maiden

–What Kimberly finds hard about single parenting

–What Kimberly would do differently as a parent

–Kimberly’s favorite part of being Cece’s mom

–How being Cece’s mom informs Kimberly’s work

–Parenting phases that Kimberly misses

–Kimberly’s work as fringe and niche

–How Kimberly views her future work

–What it’s like to be a teenager right now

–How Cece handles having a phone

–Cece’s advice for other parents

–Cece’s music update

–Cece’s offers support for college application process

Resources

Email: cecevieira@protonmail.com

IG: @ceciliajvieira