Blending A Family DevotionalSample

 Adult Children from Broken Homes

We know many adult children who feel the effects of broken homes and remarriage for years to come. 

Adult children pick up the burden of planning events at birthday parties, and special family events where both biological parents are invited. In some cases, they plan two parties to accommodate bio parents who refuse to be together. We have experienced the tension adult children feel at weddings, graduations, etc. Since such activities will continue for many years, bio parents need to create peace with everyone to make each event positive and memorable. 

Some adult children still carry that dream to see mom and dad reconcile. They resist to embrace their parents’ new marriages and new families.  Adult children who have grown up and left home may disconnect from one or both parents. Their behavior might include no calls or visits, non-acceptance of a parent’s remarriage or a new stepparent, or not allowing grandparents to see their grandchildren. 

This disconnect from family may be a way the adult child deals with their feelings. Some need time to sort through their emotions. Such behavior has been used to emotionally hurt the ones who hurt them, or to attempt to change a parent. It can be a form of manipulation. 

Parents should not react to manipulation. If we have a repentant heart, God has forgiven us. We should move into the new things that God brings.  Although parents no longer have direct influence over adult children, they can positively influence their children’s behavior through attitude, words, and actions. 

Adult Children Living with You 

If we have adult children living in our home, they may want to live with no boundaries. We recommend establishing boundaries of respect and godliness for everyone in our home. This is especially true if minor children in our home are observing inappropriate behavior. Protect the young hearts under our care. 

Suggestions:

Apologize to them for hurts you may have caused. 

Regularly invite them to family events, even if you suspect the answer to be “No.” Reinforce that they are vital to your family. 

Do not react to children with harshness.

Continue to show acceptance of them, even if they are not accepting you right now. 

Our Prayer for you:

Father, help everyone in this family to walk in forgiveness.

Give adult children Your peace toward this family. In Jesus’ name. 

Copyright 2019 Moe and Paige Becnel @ Blending A Family Ministry