Blog
The Hurricanes of Parenting
We live in Orlando. We were side-swiped by Hurricane Helene last week. Tragically, many people in northern Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas experienced extreme devastation. I’ve been through a number of hurricanes in my life and I’ve noticed a few parallels with parenting troubled kids. This post contains 4 key truths I discovered that have helped me cope, survive and even thrive agaiin in my parenting storms. I hope they will help you too.
Can Parents in Pain Make Peace with the Unknown?
In the past, I struggled with the need to know how my daughter’s journey would end. Abusing alcohol and drugs, engaging in self-harm, and suffering with a mental illness, not...
God Cares When We Cry
Parents who are brokenhearted over their teen or adult children because of their agonizing struggles and destructive choices shed many tears. Reasons vary: addiction, mental...
Parents: 4 Practices to Try When Valentine’s Day Hurts
Holidays hurt when you don't receive the love you long for from someone you care about--especially your own child. Valentine's Day is tomorrown and it is one more holiday parents...
Can Broken-hearted Parents Find Victory?
My daughter was on the brink of disaster. Defeated, helplessness overwhelmed me. I get forgot how far I'd already come as the mother of a young adult daughter who had many...
Joy for Parents in Pain Over the Holidays?
Are you a parent in pain who has no joy this holiday season? Can you relate to one of these situations? Your son is in jail with an unknown outcome looming in the future. Your...
3 Things Hurting Parents Need to Hear at Christmas
Does God really care about the hurts we parents carry for our children? Today’s blog post is from a dad whose been there and understands - my husband Tom. He has something to say...
When God Makes Hurting Parents Wait
Sick and tired of waiting for change, I wondered how long before for my daughter would be ready to quit drinking and making poor choices? When would she accept help? At 25 she...
Parents in Pain Need to Stop Doing This
There's something parents in pain need to stop doing. I'm referring to parents, like me, who are brokenhearted because of the behaviors and choices of their children. They need...
Beauty From the Ashes of Having a Self-Destructive Daughter, Part 2
Today's post is part 2 of the beauty I have experienced from the ashes of parenting my self-destructive daughter. To my surprise, I found "gifts" on this long, hard journey. This...
Beauty from the Ashes of Parenting a Self-Destructive Daughter
My life felt like ashes. Would ever be able to laugh or smile again? The ashes were from my experiences as the mom of a troubled daughter. My daughter, Renee, kept me in constant...
3 “Marathon Parenting” Tips
The journey of parenting a troubled teen or adult is much like running a race, but it's not a sprint, it's a marathon. I was once in great need of some "marathon parenting" tips....
4 Reasons for Parents Not to Give Up On their Troubled Kids
"I give up. I can't do this anymore. It's too hard. I'm not strong enough for the job. It's beyond my capacity. I need help." This was how I felt about the lady finger palms...