Halpern has helped many readers develop new and loving relationships with their parents in his book "Farewell to Parents." In this book, he examines the parent-child relationship from the opposite perspective to help parents understand and constructively shape their relationship with their adult children. As our children grow up and shape their own lives, our parental role becomes unnecessary, which previously set boundaries, provided protection, and offered support. We see that our old responsibilities have ended, yet we feel a lifelong bond with our children and struggle to let them go. Often, the inner child in parents reacts to the inner child of their son or daughter in ritualistic "dance songs," which can hinder a spontaneous and heartfelt relationship between parents and their adult children.