Blog
The Olympics and Painful Parenting
My husband and I enjoy watching Olympic events. As I watched this week, it occured to me that the Olympics and painful parenting have something in common. Like many of the athletes who didn’t win a medal, parents of troubled adult children are discouraged from dashed hopes and unsuccessful attempts to control the outcome of their children’s lives. What can help us let go of needing to control? In this post I list 5 choices. I’d love to hear what you think!
A Pandemic Easter for Parents Whose Hearts Were Already Broken
Easter was yesterday. Holidays can be extra painful when your child (or any loved one) is causing you heartache. When their struggle is with an addiction to alcohol or...
A Great Way to Reduce Covid-19 Stress
A few years ago, my dear 86 year old father was in the hopsital fighting for his life. My mother had died ten years earlier and as their only child I was extremely...
Parents in Pain Can Learn to Lean on God
photo.cred.Michael.in Ireland on Unsplash Everyone is talking about the Corona virus, so I'll talk about something else! When you’re in a situation where you need help or don’t...
10 Ways Parents Can Show Courageous Love When it’s Hard
Today I'm going to talk about love, courageous love. This is love that doesn’t enable or over help. We’re going to see what it looks like and if we can gain any new ideas on how...
An Honest Interview with the Mother of an Addict, Part 2
Today’s post is Part 2 of our interview with the mother of an addict. This is a continuation from last week's blog on Jan. 27th. I believe there are many things she shared that...
An Honest Interview with the Mother of an Addict, Part 1
Today’s post is Part 1 of an interview with the mother of an addict. I first shared it a few years ago, but felt impressed to share it again. The drug problem continues to grow...
A Prayer for Hurting Parents
Dad or Mom, have you heard these statements from one of your children? "I hate you! You never let me do anything." "You don't understand me!" "I can't wait until I turn eighteen...
4 Questions to Help Parents in a Difficult Holiday Season
The holiday season can be a difficult time for parents whose sons and daughters reject them, engage in destructive, unwise behaviors, or suffer with a mental illness. They'd...
A Thanksgiving Message for Brokenhearted Parents
Parents of teen or adult children who struggle with substance use or mental health issues (or any other distressing situation) find the holidays the most difficult time of year,...
5 Tips to Help Hurting Parents Survive the Holidays
Holidays are the most difficult time of year for anyone in emotional pain, especially hurting parents. I've been one. My heart was full of sadness over my daughter's struggles...
When Parents Can’t be Thankful
It's November and Thanksgiving is soon. This is the time of year most people turn their thoughts toward what they're grateful for, but some people don't feel thankful. I'm...
Freedom is Possible for our Struggling Children
I'm the mother of an adult child who struggled with addiction and mental health issues for over ten years. The years have been rough, but I've found lasting comfort and hope from...