Parenting When Adult Children Wander video series

Healing Yourself

Parents are often eager to reach out to their wandering child in any way that might be helpful. But it’s wise for parents to take time to deal with their own emotions first. In this video, Jennifer Antonsen helps parents deal with any grief, guilt or fear they may be struggling with.

Get more out of this series!

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

// Step 1

Read and meditate on this Scripture verse: “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock” (Isaiah 26:3-4).

// Step 2

Answer these discussion questions:

1. When you think of your grown child and their present situation, what emotions do you experience? Do you feel grief, guilt, fear, embarrassment, frustration or something else?
2. Do you find that those same emotions arise when you are interacting with your child? Do they make your interactions with your child easier or more difficult?
3. If you could rest from your worries and completely trust God with your child’s life, how might that change your interactions with your child?

// Step 3

Spend time in prayer:

Father God,
You know how hard it is for us to find peace with concern for our child so often on our minds.
Thank you that your love and care for our child follows them wherever they go.
We ask that you watch over our son/daughter and keep them safe until they hear your voice and turn back to you with their whole heart.
In the meantime, please help us to deal constructively with our grief and pain, so that our hurt does not diminish other precious relationships - especially our relationship as husband and wife.
Amen.

// Step 4

Read the article “Caring for yourself when your child is in crisis” for more help on how to deal with the difficult emotions you’re experiencing.

// Step 5

Read the article “Holding your marriage together when your kids fall apart ” - a reminder to stay united with your spouse, rather than letting this difficult season create division between you.