Balancing Boundaries: Loving Adult Children Without Losing Yourself ft. Pat Fenner

This episode of Sandwich Season Sanity features a heartfelt check-in between host Ruthie Gray and guest Pat Fenner discussing what it’s like to juggle work commitments, family responsibilities, and grandparenting—all while striving to nurture healthy boundaries with adult children and loved ones.

Here are three key takeaways for moms facing similar challenges:

• Setting Boundaries Is Necessary—And Never Easy: Pat shared her ongoing journey of creating healthy boundaries, especially with adult kids and grandkids. 
• Letting Go for Growth: As parents, it's tough to step back and let adult children face their own challenges. Pat encourages us to lean into faith and trust that we're not meant to carry the load alone—sometimes the best thing we can do is surrender and let God work in their lives.
• Finding Joy After Hardship: Pat spoke about her book, Rebuilding Your Life After a Silver Divorce, and the importance of seeking healing and joy after major life transitions. Her story is a powerful reminder that surrender can lead to unexpected redemption and new beginnings.

Resources:

• Pat Fenner’s book, Rebuilding Your Life After a Silver Divorce: A Pathway to Healing, Significance, and Joy, offers hope and actionable strategies for women walking through divorce and beyond.
• Ruthie’s Private Podcast: The Peaceful Mom Collection
• Retreat for Empty Nest Entrepreneurs: Next Steps Retreat

Note: affiliate links may be included.

Pat Fenner is a devoted advocate for personal transformation and healing. As an accomplished author and podcast producer, Pat has dedicated her career to empowering women, particularly those navigating the challenging waters of post-divorce life. In her latest book, Rebuilding Your Life After a Gray Divorce: A Path to Healing, Joy, and Significance, Pat draws on her own experiences and years of mentoring to offer a lifeline to women struggling to find their footing after a later-in-life divorce.

With a compassionate voice and a deep understanding of the emotional and spiritual upheavals faced in later-life separations, Pat has crafted the STRENGTHS framework. This guide is designed to help women savor simplicity, rebuild trust, and embrace a promising future. Her approach is deeply practical, rooted in real-life stories, biblical wisdom, and actionable strategies, encouraging women to reclaim their lives and rediscover joy.

In addition to her writing, Pat produces the engaging and insightful podcast "Silver Women,

Visit Ruthie's Website at RuthieGray.com

Get Ruthie's Sandwich Season Pieces Newsletter

Read Ruthie's book, Empty Nest Awakening; Weaving the Threads of Your Passions into Purpose

Join Ruthie's Next Steps Retreat