Can you believe Easter has already passed? As parents in pain because of the struggles, choices, and behaviors of our teen or adult children, a heaviness still hangs in the air...
A Special Post-Easter Message for Parents in Pain
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encouragement
4 Suggestions for Parents Who Feel Hopeless at Easter
Today is Easter, a day of hope and new beginnings. But before the resurrection came the crucifixion which brought a lot of loss, sorrow, betrayal, confusion, and unanswered...
A New Perspective for Brokenhearted Parents
Brokenhearted, I needed a new perspective. Five years ago a mom who also needed a new perspective wrote to me. Her child almost died and she was in great pain: “As a parent,...
For Weary Parents of Prodigals on Christmas Eve
What good word could I possibly give parents of prodigals today, on Christmas eve? How I wish I could promise you everything's going to be fine with your child, or that...
A Hurting Parent’s Christmas Wish List
The years my daughter wrestled with substance use, self-injury, mental illness, and suicidal tendencies, my Christmas wish list was short. If you're a hurting parent,...
Can Brokenhearted Parents Really Celebrate the Holidays?
Can you remember when a special event was ruined because of something bad that happened? Maybe the event was your birthday or Christmas. For me, the occasion was Thanksgiving Day...
5 Tips for Surviving the Holidays for Parents in Pain
"I hate the holidays! They just make me feel worse than I already do. I want to ignore them or not acknowledge them at all, but no one understands." Thanksgiving and Christmas...
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...
Hurting Parents Can Cope
When you feel like you've lost control of your emotions because of your son or daughter's behaviors and choices how can you cope? What do you do to keep your sanity if your child...
Parenting and Politics
Presidential elections are this fall. I believe with parenting we have a few things in common with politicians: making speeches, addressing problems, protecting reputations and...
The Olympics and Painful Parenting
I've come to a conclusion after watching 2024 Olympic events this week. The Olympics and painful parenting have something in common. Like many of the athletes who didn't get what...
Rip Current Dangers for Struggling Parents
Living an hour from the beaches in Florida, I sometimes hear news reports of drownings on one of the area beaches caused by rip currents. Parents of troubled teen or adult...