My Kids are Adults - Now What?

There’s no question that parenting adult children can be tricky and confusing. We’ve been well prepared for raising kids through 18, but what about when they become adults? How do we relate to them? What influence can we still have? How do we work through the changes this stage of parenting brings? We hope the resources we’ve compiled will give you a starting place as you grow through this new stage of parenting.

Websites:

Intentional Moms: Think about it is the only national ministry dedicated to equipping and educating mothers of all ages and stages of parenting. This site provides toolbox resources as well as a tab for Dads.

Website: www.intentionalmoms.com

Focus on the Family: Helping Families Thrive is the leading family help resource center providing a plethora of resources in multiple formats as well as links and event information.

Website: www.focusonthefamily.org

MomSense: Pursuing Passion-filled Parenting from Christianity Today provides articles addressing all areas of parenting and a free email newsletter.

Website: http://www.christianitytoday.com/momsense

Family Life: Help for Today, Hope for Tomorrow provides multiple resources helping build stronger homes and communities since 1976.

Website: www.familylife.com

Christian-Parent.com: Parenting Resources for Christian Families provides categories of resources that will fit whatever you’re looking for.

Website: http://christian-parent.com

Books:

Setting Boundaries With Your Adult Children: Six Steps to Hope and Healing for Struggling Parents
by Allison Bottke
Harvest House Publishers 2008
by Harvest House Publishers 2008

If you have adult children (or grandchildren) experiencing one crisis after another and you find yourself pulled into the drama, author Allison Bottke provides easy-to-remember guidance. Using the acronym S.A.N.I.T.Y., she encourages parents to take a tough-love approach in dealing with their troublesome adult children. A Focus on the Family recommendation.

You Never Stop Being a Parent: Thriving in Relationship with Your Adult Children
by Elyse Fitzpatrick, Jim Newheiser
P & R Publishing 2010

In today's difficult economy, many young adults are returning to live in their parents' home. Newheiser and Fitzpatrick's biblical insights will show you how to be the best parent you can be to your grown children---whether single or married---while still maintaining a thriving, healthy relationship with them.

Parenting 20-Something Kids: Recognizing Your Role as They Find Their Way
by Martha Pope Gore
Beacon Hill Press 2005

As your teenager becomes a 20-something, you may find that your parenting role is changing. Gorris can help you adapt to your new role by learning how to relate without giving unwanted advice, love your adult child with no strings attached, say no without guilt and establish new lines of communication.

Parenting Your Adult Child: How You Can Help Them Achieve Their Full Potential
by Ross Campbell
Moody Publishers 1999

In this book, authors Ross Campbell and Gary Chapman have teamed up again to help parents of adult children deal with such issues as: helping your child find success, dealing with anger, adult children returning with their children, religious choices and positive parental love.

Secrets to Parenting Your Adult Child
by Nancy Williams
Bethany House 2011

This product will be released on February 1, 2011.

Losing Control & Liking It: How to Set Your Teen (and Yourself) Free
by Tim Sanford
Focus on the Family 2008

Do you believe it's your job to make your kids turn out right? The truth is that you can't. It's not even your job. In fact, your real role as a parent is much more rewarding and doable. Experienced counselor and parent, Tim Sanford, shows how to give up your fears about your teenager's future - and the control you never really had. You'll discover the truth about how God parents His children - the truth that can turn your home from a battleground to a birthplace of freedom for you and your teen.