Parenting When Adult Children Wander video series

Why Your Child?

Although it does nothing to change their situation, parents often can’t help wondering, Why? Why has my child strayed so far from how they were raised? Or Why has God allowed this? In video two, Jennifer Antonsen gives three of the most common reasons why adult children go astray. 

Get more out of this series!

After watching video two, consider taking these steps to get the most out of this part of the series:  

// Step 1

Read and meditate on this verse: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4)

// Step 2

Answer these discussion questions:

1. 1. What kinds of mistakes do you see your child making at this time?
   2. Has your child ever explained why they see things differently than you do? What explanation did they give, if any? 
   3. What deep hurts or disappointments has your child faced in the past? Do you think those experiences could be influencing their present choices?

// Step 3

Spend time in prayer:

Dear Lord, 
It’s so painful to watch our child walking away from you and making choices we would never want them to make. 
And it’s hard to understand why our child is making these choices. 
If there’s any part of our child’s story that’s been hidden from us and that’s important for us to know, please reveal that to us. 
As we walk through this, please help us to always be loving and patient toward our child, despite the pain and disappointment we are feeling. 
And if there’s something else our child needs from us that would help them, please reveal that to us too.
In your holy name we pray, 
Amen. 

// Step 4

Read the article “Hope for parents of prodigal children” which explores some of the reasons why grown kids may completely cut their parents out of their life for a time, or keep their parents at a distance.

// Step 5

Listen to the Focus on the Family broadcast “Removing the Barriers Between You and Your Prodigal Child” where pastor Phil Waldrep helps parents build or rebuild a strong and warm relationship with their adult child.

Recommended resource

Doing Life With Your Adult Children by Jim Burns helps you respond wisely to common but challenging situations with grown kids. Topics covered include helping versus enabling, responding to a child’s poor choices or abandoned faith, financial boundaries, relating to their significant other, living with an adult child in your home and more. 

Order your copy of this book today and get $2 off when you use the code*: DOINGLIFE