Guiding Children to Adulthood: What Does Success Look Like?
Guiding our children toward successful adulthood involves more than legal age milestones. Let’s explore what true success looks like for our adult children.
1. Brain Development and Independence
Becoming an independent adult is nuanced. While legal adulthood may begin at eighteen, the prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain responsible for reasoning, planning, and judgment—continues developing until around age twenty-five. Parents play a crucial role in helping our children navigate life’s challenges. Whether they’re living on their own or still at home, our guidance remains essential.
2. Unresolved Troubles and Hope
Troubles from childhood and adolescence can resurface as our children mature. It’s never too late to improve or repair our relationships with them. God’s grace allows us to seek reconciliation and communicate love even when we feel it’s too late. Let’s remember that nothing is too difficult for God.
3. Defining Success Beyond Finances
Success isn’t solely about financial stability. It encompasses maintaining physical and mental health, nurturing rewarding relationships, accomplishing personal goals, and staying intellectually curious. Parents can encourage these holistic aspects of success in our adult children.
Think about it.
Pastor Jason
(article produced with AI-assisted editing)
Photo by Jordan Madrid on Unsplash