Includes bibliographical references and index.

Part one: What is emotional unavailability? Emotional unavailability defined -- Emotional basics -- Emotional dynamics -- Part two: Difficult parents. Inconsistent parents -- Just not good enough -- In his or her own reality -- Hovering controllers -- Brainiacs: all think, no feel -- Glory days parents -- Blame gamers -- Users and other emotional vampires -- Mentally ill and personality-disordered parents -- Addicted to _____ -- Abusive parents -- Absent parents -- Toxic parents -- Stepparents, grandparents, and in-laws -- Part three: Making it work. Relationship skills and dynamics -- Getting rid of expectations, guilt, resentment, and regrets -- Empower yourself to change -- What do emotionally available parents do?