I trudged into my 12-year-old daughter’s bedroom after we’d had yet another argument to the shocking discovery of self-inflicted cuts up and down both of her forearms. My stomach...
Defining Moments in Parenting
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Pondering the Long and Hard Seasons of Parenting
Welcome today's guest blogger, one of our teammates, Beth Denhof. Several years ago, after a hard season in my marriage, I sat with a good friend and mentor as I staggered...
A Question for Parents of Prodigals to Consider
"Why did this happen? I can't believe it! Who can I talk to? Who could possibly understand what we're going through?" My husband had no anwers. Our 23 year old daughter was in...
Disappointed Parents: You Never Know What God Might be Up To
Life is full of surprises and disappointments. We never know what we're going get, like Forrest Gump’s momma said about a box of chocolates. Some surprises are good. We’re...
The Why Question: Finding Purpose for Pain
Why did this happen to me? Why didn’t God protect my daughter from developing an addiction or mental health problems? Why weren’t my prayers answered? When will this end? What...
4 Ways Parents Can Live With An Unsolved Problem
As parents we have a special relationship with our children...or we hoped we would. We have a deep emotional connection with them along with a strong sense of responsibility for...
For the Parent Who is Too Afraid to Let Go
I can't do it! I'm so scared! Isn't there anything I can do? How can I possibly let go when I don't know what might happen if I do? Help! Parents of a son or daughter who...
Parents of Prodigals Look for Purpose
These are highlights from one of our support group meetings. At the time, we were going through the book, Parents with Broken Hearts by Bill Coleman (on the book list on our...
Help For The Enabling Parent
“When Renee leaves our program she won’t be the same person. Even if she relapses, she’ll never be like she was before coming here. She’s going to learn everything she needs to...
Dad, Mom, I’ve Been Watching Porn by Barb Winters
Welcome today's guest blogger, Barb Winters. Barb and I met at a writer's conference this fall (I also met my last guest blogger there!). Writer's conferences are great places to...
A Hurting Parent’s Christmas Wish List
As the hurting parent of a daughter who wrestled with substance use, self-injury, mental illness, and suicidal tendencies, my Christmas wish list was short. If you're a...
Thanksgiving for Parents in Pain
Thanksgiving is this week. Can parents in pain give thanks? There was a time when I would have answered that question with a hearty, "No way!" What I wrote today is a twist on...