Adulting your Christian young adult

Parenting is not for cowards. Becoming a parent of influence starts when your child is still a youngster, so when they become adults, they know who to come to for godly advice. 
 
Being there as a parent for our children is a lifelong process. Just because our children become of age doesn’t mean that they are left to figure life out on their own. We should still be there.
Yes, they have to make their own choices, but we are there to impart Godly wisdom as needed and when asked. Sometimes, as parents, we think we still can expect our adult children to do what we say without question or resistance. But that is not true. A part of learning to make the transition into adulthood is understanding that our young adults have free will and they must be allowed to make their own choices. And deal with the consequences of those choices. 
As parents, it may be hard to let go. I know. But it is a growth process that has to happen on both sides.
Here are some steps to help you in adulting your young adult.

• Keep the lines of communication open.
• Allow for non-judgmental communication 
• Be approachable 
• Listen more to hear their heart and concerns.
• Pray for them and with them -give it to God
• Ask them for their solution, choices or decision.
• Ask if they want to know your experience with the situation and 
• Share your experience, good or bad and give your lessons learned.
• Respect them and their decisions 

Always point them to Jesus 
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”  John 16:13
 
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jer . 29:11
 “looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
 
As your young adult grows, they will learn how to lean on God as they live their life, and they will appreciate the godly support you provide. 
 
How to confront bad behavior or choices.
Ephesians 4:15
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”
It can be uncomfortable to address our adult children when they are doing wrong things. 
As a parent, we do have to confront the behavior and let them know where we stand and why, but at the end of the day, they have to choose what they will do. And the consequences are their own. If they choose to be accountable to us or a godly person, that’s awesome, but if they do not, it’s still their choice. As parents, we have to pray for God's help. Let go and let God!
It is tough, but God is able to reach our children in ways we can not.
The Bible says to train up a child in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it. 
One key element is you! Reminding them of those lessons when needed, they will be more inclined to hear you and not depart from their foundational teachings.
This is the way of being a parent of influence. 
Living your faith in everyday life so they see your faith and hear your voice in the time of need.
And thereby developing a free-thinking adult capable of making wise choices and becoming a godly force in Society. Therefore, we fulfill our Lord's command to raise up a godly generation.
Deuteronomy 6:1-25
“These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.” 
Alexis Smith