Fr. Forbes and Chaplain Helton have noticed that a number of pastoral issues needing attention involve some form of family discord between adult children and their parents.
 
Sometimes, the child (>25 years old) may have returned home unexpectedly. Maybe they’ve fallen victim to a substance abuse. Or, they’ve lost their job, separated from their spouse, or any number of things that might befall us in life. Now, you, as the parent, find your life turned upside down as you try to care for your child and cope with this new demand on you.
 
The problem may arise on the other side of the coin too. You, as an adult child, may have a parent that drives but shouldn’t. Or, they’re developing physical or cognitive difficulties. Maybe, they’ve seemed a little depressed lately You want to help but aren’t sure how.
 
We’re not alone in noticing an increase in these problems. Other local ministers and therapists have said they’ve also seen an increase in both issues. Sadly, neither Moore County nor North Carolina offer any help or guidance.
 
We call this AC/AP or Adult Child/Adult Parent problems. The stress on either side of that slash mark is enormous and can be destructive for everyone concerned – regardless of where the problem started.
 
Sadly, we don’t have a solution, but we don’t want to ignore the problem either (we do have a wonderful ministry that offers guidance with elder care needs). So, we plan to gather and share our experiences and advice and counsel. Our gathering will also be a time to seek God’s guidance and blessing.
 
You are invited to come to our gatherings to discuss possible problems surrounding family conflict with Adult Children and Adult Parents.
 
Please join us at 2 pm on Wednesdays in the Family Room. If time is an issue for you, please email Chaplain Helton and we’ll arrange an additional evening fathering on another date.