Launching Your Kids Into AdulthoodSample

KEEP CONNECTED

One of the greatest frustrations for parents is a young adult child who’s making poor choices. If that’s your situation, remember this: It’s wise to step forward, into their life, not away from it.

Maybe you can relate to the challenges Carl and Trish faced with their son. His teenage rebellion carried into his early twenties. Instead of getting a life for himself underway, he was sleeping on a friend’s couch, and his sole ambition was to have fun.

Needless to say, Carl and Trish were disappointed. So much so, they felt their only recourse was to detach from their son entirely. They were afraid that if they showed interest in his life, he would misinterpret it as approval of his behavior. So, to reinforce their displeasure, they chose not to communicate with him at all until he changed his ways. In doing so, they risked losing their relationship with him altogether.

Detaching is a tactic many parents have tried. But there’s a wiser choice – a choice God Himself makes toward us when we stray from our relationship with Him. He doesn’t pull away; He steps forward. It’s a helpful model to remember if you have a wayward child – step forward, into their life, and stay connected if possible.

Obviously, you shouldn’t enable your child’s poor choices, but strive to keep the lines of communication open. Some young adults take longer than others to mature. To have a thriving relationship after they emerge from their time of confusion, you’ll need to maintain a relationship through it. Don’t let the disappointment you feel now stymie the potential for a strong relationship later.