Why adult children alienate their parents?

Answer 1

Sometimes adult childrens parents forget the operative word "adult". These parents just can' t stop trying to run the kids lives and be judgemental about the decisions they are making. So... the kids just pull back and live their lives as they want to.

Other adult children are still holding grudges about real or imagined wrongs that mom and dad did to them as kids. Until they can overcome these grudges (and some never will) they are going to withdraw from their parents.

Last but certainly not least. If the parent doesn't accept the adult child's choice of mate and at least try to be respectful and cordial. the kids are going away.

They may make mistakes but those mistakes are theirs to make and the parents need to let it play out unless their offspring is being physically endangered by their choices.