Parents of Adult Children

I find myself at the end of raising my five children with one more to go through last year of high school. Although I will always be their mother, my role has changed from training to advising. I can’t make them take my advice and sometimes I have to sit on the sidelines to watch them make decisions I don’t necessarily agree are good.

However, I know they will be alright because the seeds of truth have been invested in each of their lives. They were instructed in the ways of God and to the best of my ability in Christ—I mirrored the example of living a righteous life. I’m far removed as a perfect mom, but my love of God and for each of my children was made evident and practiced through their whole childhood.

While it’s difficult at times, we as parents need God’s wisdom and discernment for when we need to stand down. Whether they are married or unmarried, we should respect their boundaries as adults. We don’t have the right to push our agenda, desires, or dreams onto them. They have their own God-given purpose to pursue and hopefully accomplish.

One of the hardest parts of parenting is letting our children fail. We want success for them at every stage of life from preschool to adulthood. However, if we always protect and provide a way out for their bad decision making, we empower them to fail over and over again. This is why we seek God for wisdom before even giving advice. God will clearly show us the way if we are willing to humble ourselves to fast, pray, and listen to the leading of the Spirit.

Parents of adult children can be parents of courage who stand in the gap through intercessory prayer that make the difference in the lives of their children. God hears our prayers and He will show Himself faithful as a loving Father to us and them.

Prayer

Dear Lord, I want to be a good parent for my adult children. Lead me to know when to speak or to be silent. I need your wisdom and direction. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In His Service,

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