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...
A Prayer for Hurting Parents
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encouragement
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...
Defining Moments in Parenting
Defining moments change us—and not always in a welcomed way. Parents of troubled teens and adults know about this. I'm one of them. Our lives are fraught with defining moments of...
7 Lies of Suicide: A 14 year-old’s Goodbye Letter
Has your son or daughter struggled with suicidal thoughts? Have they made an attempt to end their life? My daughter has. If your answer to either of my questions was yes, then...
Parents in Pain and 9/11
Today, along with millions of Americans, I will reflect on the events of 9/11. The day is too important not to write about it. I remember where I was, what I felt, and what I...
When a Parent Needs Comfort
When my husband placed our newborn daughter on my chest, I fell instantly, totally, and completely in love. In awe and wonder, I caressed her still-moist body as I examined her...
Encouraging Words for Brokenhearted Parents
Today’s blog is a collection of quotes from my book, You Are Not Alone: Hope for Hurting Parents of Troubled Kids. It includes comments from our daughter Renee on boundaries. I...
A Dangerous Situation for Struggling Parents of Troubled Kids
Summer is here. I live in Florida an hour from the beach. There's danger in the waters and it's not always from a sea creature. We hear tragic reports of drownings from a...
What Can Broken-hearted Parents do in the Face of Deep Disappointment?
Today’s post is from author, speaker, Christine Caine. Her message on disappointment was spot on for what parents in pain struggle with. Parents whose children break their...
I Don’t Need Rescuing: Can God Take Care of Me?
There are people in the world who like to be the rescuers of others (many parents of addicts and those who struggle with mental health challenges do this really well). There are...
Olympics and Parenting
The Winter Olympics are over and in a way I’m glad. Too many late nights watching figure skaters, snowboarders, downhill skiers, and bobsledders are wearing me out. Hurting...
Interview with a Mom
Valentine's Day is soon. It's a hard day for parents who find it difficult to love their wayward children, who feel unloved by them, and would give anything to hear them say, "I...