The Godly Coach-Parent — iWork4Him

What's more stressful than raising kids? Raising ADULT kids. There doesn't seem to be much out there that takes this season of life head on. I have never had someone offer to come alongside me during this season, with this particular sticky space in my life. For me (parent of one 19 year old), the best I can come up with is to shift to "Godly Coach-Mom". A coach is someone who is your cheerleader, tells you what they honestly see, encourages you and pushes you to be the best.

The professional executive and life coaching industry (of which I have been a part of for 30+ years) has had a mantra over the past several decades that keeps playing in my mind about this.

"Never want more for the client then they want for themselves."

How hard is THAT? To not want more for your child then they do for themselves? The Godly part includes: not being your child's Holy Spirit (letting them own their own relationship with Christ), but modeling, praying and then asking Godly questions that lead them back to Christ in a particular situation. In a radio show recently, Jim and Martha came to the conclusion that two things work best regarding their adult children: pray for our adult children (unceasingly), and ask them good questions. If they're adults, we have to treat them like adults, and shift from telling them what to do, to coming alongside and trusting and encouraging their ability to think and make wise decisions. Too many parents today are making the nest too comfortable, so the kids don't want to leave. Who can blame them? We have to seek God's will and our own hearts, to ensure we are not enabling irresponsibility or dependency. We also need to trust God with their lives. He has them, and He has a plan for them. I often cling to Jeremiah 29:11 in these times:

11 For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

God bless your shift to Godly Coach-Parent!

Caroline Mendez

Editor's Picks

Chris Carpenter
The Crossmap Podcast's Top Episodes 0f 2024
For those who might not know, The Crossmap Podcast features inspiring heart-to-heart conversations with Christian newsmakers of the day including authors, experts, pastors, and entertainers on topics that are good for the entire family while honoring your faith-based values.Crossmap managing editor Chris Carpenter engages guests in thought-provoking but light-hearted banter...
5 min readCrossmap Podcast Top Episodes Spiritual Accountability Sharing the Gospel Overcoming Anxiety
Vaneetha Risner
The Manger is Part of the Miracle — Vaneetha Risner
The manger highlights the way God uses our deepest pain, the things we wish were different, the despised and the lowly, to bring him the greatest glory. God’s kingdom is upside down. The last shall be first, the weak shall be strong, and the foolish shall shame the wise. And God incarnate will be la
6 min read
Brenda Seefeldt
Why Teens Aren't Rebelling Anymore - Bravester
I began my writing career having been inspired by this quote back in 1990 from film director John Waters (Cry-Baby, Hairspray) from a backpage article for the special edition Newsweek issue to kick off the last decade before the Twentieth Century. "Sex, drugs and rock and roll all seem so old hat
4 min read
Chris Chu
Finding Light: A Prayer for Hope When Facing a Medical Crisis
Life can often feel like a series of highs and lows, but few moments test our faith and resolve like a medical crisis. Whether it’s a personal diagnosis or a loved one’s illness, these situations can leave us feeling vulnerable, fearful, and overwhelmed. But, even in these darkest moments, there...
4 min read