prodical son

[sober9-18-02]

Here my situation My daughter is coming home on tuesday as I posted in the prayer room she has been in a mental hospital. We are having a Welcome Home Party for her. Now my 14 year old daughter is rebelling and I think jealous and all kinds of attitude because we are doing this. It reminds me of the periodical son who return home but what is not really talked about is the other son can someone help me out in handling this godly and right.

[chicagoburbite]

Hi there sober. I have a 14 year old daughter as well. This is a hard hard age. They tend to feel it's the world against them. I would highly recommend that you plan a coffee/hot choc date with your daughter (or with either parent). Before you leave the garage tell her you would like to pray for your "date". If she's not open to that.. then pray to yourself on the way to the restaurant/cafe.

Once there, make sure she knows that she is loved, and mention a few things she does that you are proud of. Then casually mention that you've noticed a change in her. Ask her if she wants to talk about it. Tell her you're worried about her. She may just feel nervous about her sibling coming home, and just not know how to express it.

I would continue to plan these little dates with her even after the other sibling comes home.

PM me if you need to.

Jenni, mom to 2 (age 14, and 15)

Edited March 9, 2006 by chicagoburbite

[David from New Bern]

Here my situation My daughter is coming home on tuesday as I posted in the prayer room she has been in a mental hospital. We are having a Welcome Home Party for her. Now my 14 year old daughter is rebelling and I think jealous and all kinds of attitude because we are doing this. It reminds me of the periodical son who return home but what is not really talked about is the other son can someone help me out in handling this godly and right.

It is rare as parents to get an opportunity such as this one, where the application of a parable is that direct to the situation and you now have what is known in parenting as a teachable moment. The coffee date/hot chocolate plan is a good one, but paraphrase Luke 15:11-32 or read it to her if she will allow you. IMO do it after the date and in the privacy of the car or the bedroom when you get home. And help her interpret the parable from the standpoint of the sibling who stayed home. If you can relate any personal incident where you needed to apply the Bible to your life as correction in the past, relay it to her then. In the words of James Dobson, "parenting is not for cowards." God has set up this situation, IMO it is a divine appointment for both her and you.

[Scarletprayers]

When my son came home, my two other children reacted the same way. For once there wasn't drama and tension in the house, they had your undivided unstressed attention. The old saying "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" is very true. For once they felt your full focus when you were with them. They didn't have to complete with someone else they feel is getting more of your attention.

My children "knew" my son was sick but it wasn't a sick you could point at or touch so part of them had a really hard time understanding his sickness. So then you add guilt on top of the other things that they are feeling.

I have no good answer for you except, prayer, prayer, prayer and however hard it is, don't let the sick child take all of your good times, share some with the others.

[shepherdsgrace]

I do so agree with Silent Prayer. It is so very very hard on those children who are living lives which are not causing confusion and pain in the home. They see all the attention going to the one that is making havoc in the home. Whatever you do, draw the sibling to yourself and pour your love and understanding to her. Let her know that you understand it is hard on her. Give her some sympathy! And then help her to reach out in love. I believe she will if she knows that you understand her heart. YOu can do it! Our prayers are with you.

[sober9-18-02]

Thanks! I took everyones advice to heart. Here is the result I went a brought my daughter a rose a balloon on the night of her concert at school. I told her I love her and her Dad loves her and even more important than our love GOD LOVES YOU! You are special to him and us. I also told her I feel the same way about her sister and I do not love neither one of them our their brother any less. Then I landed in the hospital and the family had to pull together to make it around here without me for 10 days. I love it when I can take something out of Gods word and use it for direction and guidess

[shepherdsgrace]

Sounds like life is moving forward for you. So glad. And I think it wonderful that you had the humility to move on advice given. So many people just will not listen to others! I would love to hear how that younger sister is doing. I do hope that she is feeling more secure about her position in the family and is learning to share herself. God bless you all. I know that God is surrounding you with his steadfast love and faithfulness.

[christianchick]

Thanks! I took everyones advice to heart. Here is the result I went a brought my daughter a rose a balloon on the night of her concert at school. I told her I love her and her Dad loves her and even more important than our love GOD LOVES YOU! You are special to him and us. I also told her I feel the same way about her sister and I do not love neither one of them our their brother any less. Then I landed in the hospital and the family had to pull together to make it around here without me for 10 days. I love it when I can take something out of Gods word and use it for direction and guidess

I think it's great you spent time out for the other child. It's so hard as a parent sometimes to know what to do. I would still like to here about your topic what story do you get out of the prodical son