When parents in pain center their attention on their problems, they lose their focus...and their hope. When we're consumed with fear and what-ifs, it's an indicator we don't...
A Story of Hope for Parents in Pain
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Are there Any Promises for Parents in Pain?
Are there any promises for parents in pain? Moms and dads whose deeply troubled teen or adult children continuously spiral in and out of chaos want some kind of guaranteed...
What Can Make the Difference in the Life of a Prodigal?
Sometimes parents don't like who their children have become. They're rude, disrespectful, mean, and hateful towards us. We can't believe who they are today. What can make a...
For 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...
How to Navigate Through a Parenting Nightmare
This is the testimony of a mom who has been part of a Hope for Hurting Parents support group for the last 5 years. She wanted to share her story to give you hope for yours. "I’m...
Learning to Love Well from the Mother of a Prodigal Son, Part 1
This is part 1 of a 2-part interview with Pam Jones Lanhart, the mom of an adult son who struggled with drug abuse. She's the director of Thrive! Family Support and author of...
Dear Hurting Parent, I Wish You Enough
I did not write this story. Someone sent it to me many years ago, but I don't know the source. Because of the impact on me, I saved it. Now I'm compelled to share the story once...
Can Parents in Pain Still be Grateful?
When a child suffers, their parents do too. When their suffering takes the form of substance abuse, mental illness, self-harm, suicide attempts, incarceration, or some other...
A Parent’s Prayer on Hard Days
If you've been on a long, uphill journey with your child and today is a hard day, you've probably run out of ideas of how to pray. I did. Often my best prayer was the simplest,...
Defining Moments in Parenting
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...
Learning to Respond When Your Child Practices Self-Harm by Kirsten Panachyda
A Learned Response “Mom, I need your help.” Nicholas’s face looked drawn and pale. His left sleeve was pulled up and his right hand cupped the skin of his forearm. I took a deep...
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...