As parents, transitions never stop—whether it’s sending kids to college, navigating adult relationships, or rediscovering your own calling in new seasons.
In this episode, Heather and Jamie talk about letting go with grace, keeping peace in family relationships, and leaning into God as life unfolds in unexpected ways.
Parenting is always changing, but the goal remains the same: to prepare the way for lifelong friendship with our kids.
Life is full of transitions, and parenting brings some of the most profound. There comes a point when our children begin to outgrow the nest, and the role of “parent” begins to shift.
These seasons are both bittersweet and holy—they test our trust, stretch our love, and invite us to see our kids through the lens of God’s long-term design.
One of the greatest challenges in parenting adult, or nearly adult, children is loosening the reins. The shift from daily authority to mutual respect doesn’t happen overnight. It requires wisdom to know when to give advice and when to remain quiet, allowing them to navigate life themselves.
This surrender can feel risky, but it’s also a practice in trust—believing that God loves our children even more than we do.
As our kids grow, the relational dynamic changes. What once centered on correction and training now pivots toward connection and friendship. In this stage, small offenses are not worth clinging to.
Scripture calls us to “do everything possible to live at peace” (Romans 12:18), and that includes how we parent. The responsibility rests with us to pursue reconciliation, extend grace, and nurture peace in our family relationships.
Transitions also open space for us as parents. When the daily demands of raising children lessen, we’re invited into new opportunities to serve our families, communities, and God’s Kingdom.
Instead of clinging to what was, we can approach this margin with openness, asking:
How can I grow?
How can I serve?
What is God calling me to in this next chapter?
God’s vision for families isn’t just about raising obedient children—it’s about cultivating lifelong relationships.
Someday, you will stand side by side with your son or daughter not just as their parent, but as their brother or sister in Christ. This long view helps us parent with purpose now: guiding, loving, and disciplining in ways that prepare the ground for enduring friendship.
Every transition carries uncertainty, but it’s also an invitation to lean into the Lord. Life rarely unfolds the way we imagine, yet each change is a chance for God to shape us.
As parents, we’re not just forming our children—we’re being formed ourselves.
Parenting through transition isn’t about holding tighter but about faithfully releasing, trusting God with both our kids’ future and our own.
In this episode, they recommend the book Doing Life With Your Adult Children.
test test