Every parent is at some time the father of the unreturned prodigal, with nothing to do but keep his house open to hope.

The above quote reminds me of the proverb that says raise up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old, they will not depart from it.

What the proverb implies, and most parents miss, is that at some point, our kids are going to depart from all the good stuff we have tried to teach them.

Getting ready for your prodigal

Not all kids become prodigals. So I am not saying that you need to expect your child to become a prodigal.

I am saying that as parents we need to be prepared for their chosen field of departure and be prepared beforehand.

Here are two strategies to help you get prepared -

1. Prepare for how you will respond to the many different ways in which kids can depart.

2. Make sure, even if all you are holding onto is hope, that you keep the kind of relationship with them that provides a place to return to when they are done departing - even if it takes longer than you ever thought possible - once you are a parent, they are always and forever your child.

Jeff Herring

Jeff is a marriage and family therapist, singles and relationship coach, mentor coach, speaker, syndicated relationship columnist and author.

Jeff has a full time private practice in Tallahassee in which he specializes in couples, teen and parent counseling. He also is a relationship coach specializing in working with couples and singles. Some of his professional activities include:

==> Internationally syndicated relationship columnist through Knight-Ridder/Tribune Media Services, with a weekly readership of over 10 million worldwide

==> Sought after speaker for organizations, associations, churches, and corporations

==>Twice weekly appearances on The Steve and Sara Show on Magic 107.1

==> Author of "Keep the Changes: 52 Tools for Successful Living" a collection of his best columns, as well as several e-books including "How to Create a Passionate and Loving Relationship.........Forever," "How to Beat the BOZOs: Dealing with difficult people without becoming one," and "Tame Your Teen: THE survival guide for parenting your teenager.

==> Founder and CEO of TheArticleGuy.com

==> Founder and CEO of SecretsofGreatRelationships.com

==> Founder and CEO of ParentingYourTeeanger.com

==> Founder and CEO of ToolsforSuccessfulLiving.com

==> President of BuildingYourIdealPractice.com

==> President of ConsciousDatingTallahassee.com