It can be a difficult season to enter into the phase of being almost obsolete in your child’s life. I don’t mean there is no relationship or love loss. There is just a shift from being mostly a main character to watching as an extra sometimes.

We teach them to be independent and not need us. But, when they get to that stage, it can be agonizing to let go and watch them make their own choices without you.

My oldest turns 18 tomorrow. I cannot believe I have an adult child. His brother is close behind as he will be 17 this year. I am slowly learning how to cope with them maturing and soon flying the coop.

In order to help myself and other parents in this phase, I have collected some encouraging testimonies, Biblical wisdom, practical advice, and other resources that will prayerfully aid in making this transition time a little more bearable.

Biblical Wisdom for Parents of Teens and Young Adults

God’s word is the source of wisdom and truth. Daily, it’s where I find my strength and hope. Its full of advice for everyday life but also helps us guide our children.

10 Biblical Truths to Teach Your Teen Before They Leave Home

Wisdom in Proverbs for Teens

Psalms for Teens and Young Adults

How to be a Patient Mother

Ultimate List of Free Devotions for Youth

Encouraging Bible Verses for the Worried Mom

Prayer Guides & Resources for Parents of Teens and Young Adults

I have found the BEST thing to do is pray! God comforts my heart and I know I can trust Him to love and care for my kids even better than I can. These prayers and prayer resources can help us pray when we aren’t sure what to say but we know we need the Lord’s help.

7 Prayers for Your Son

A Week of Prayers for Your Daughter

7 Ways to Pray for Young Adults

Parenting Adult Children Through Prayer

A Prayer for God’s Favor

How to Pray Bold Prayers for Your Family

Encouraging Testimonies from Moms of Teens and Young Adults

I have always found it helpful to hear from those who’ve been there and survived. To hear what lessons they learned, what they may have done differently, and what motivated them to move forward.

How to Deal with the Effects of an Empty Nest

Loving a Prodigal

Practicing Faith Falls

When Your Child is Hurting

Trusting God with Your Adult Children, When They Make Bad Choices

5 Things Your Adult Children Still Need from You

Practical Advice for Raising Teens

Raising teens is a balancing act. They need to start making more of their own decisions and become independent, but they still rely on us and need some godly and loving wisdom. These practical helps remind us that the Bible speaks to all areas of life and can help us navigate many issues facing our teens today.

I just shared some of these resources in a mom in my life group last week who wanted to answer her preteen daughter’s questions about sex with a Biblical perspective. We all need answers and hope when it comes to navigating wisdom in parenting.

What to do When My Teen Shuts Me Out

Money Management for Tips for Teens

Teens Using Social Media

Talking with Your Kids about Sex, Gender, and Sexuality

Mental Health for Christian Teens

Talking with Your Teens about Drugs and Alcohol

Parenting Assessment

I always like to assess myself and ask a few questions in order to understand how I can grow in parenting through communication, advice, and understanding my teen/young adult. These questions are meant to help and guide not shame or upset. Use them to launch yourself into learning and acting mode of godly parenting.

• Am I passing on Biblical wisdom when I give advice and counsel?

• Am I open to share my own struggles and failings when I was a teen and young adult?

• Do I pray and talk to God about my parenting relationship with my teen or young adult more than worry or talk with others?

• Do I learn from other godly parents with a humble attitude rather than resentment or thinking I could never be like them?

• Is there a conversation about sensitive topics that I am shying away from but need to be bold enough to approach?

• Am I remembering to show Christ’s love, compassion, grace, mercy, and forgiveness as I continue this season of parenting?