When a Mother’s Love Is Not Enough: 11 Things We Can Do to Help Our Children Through Trials

As I made my way up and down the aisles in the grocery story, my thoughts were at home with my child who was hurting. As I passed the candy aisle, I was reminded of the days when my children were young, and they could be cheered up with a hug, a prayer, and a treat! Not anymore. I grabbed a box of his favorite chocolates, and placed it in my cart anyway. “At least he’ll know I love him and I’m praying for him.” I thought. I drove home, put away my groceries, made my way to his room, and placed it on his pillow. He’d find it after he got home from work.

I miss the days when I would hug my children and my comfort was enough for them. As they get older and life begins to take its toll, a mother’s love is not enough to get them through the hard times. I cry when they cry. I hurt when they hurt. When they are nervous or confused, my stomach is in knots right along with theirs! It just comes with the territory of being a mom. We know in our heads that the trials of life can be used to grow our children up, mature them, and direct them to God. But I am convinced they are just as much for our growth and maturity as they are for theirs.

As much as we’d like to think we can, we cannot make it all better for our children, and we never could. But we can direct them, as we direct our own hearts, to God and to responding correctly. Not only will it help our children to learn how to respond,but it will help train our mother’s heart to depend on and trust God with our children. It will remind us that we are not in control.

Here are some things we can do to help our children through trials.

1. Pray! Pray for them. Pray with them.
2. Enter into their trial with them. Even if their trial seems small to you, remember it is not small to them. Don’t treat it like it is small.
3. Pray that the trial would not distract them from God and that they won’t become angry.
4. Be available to talk. Ask questions. Let them know you are there.
5. Take them out to lunch or coffee.
6. Leave them a gift or note on their pillow letting them know you are praying for them.
7. Tell them they don’t have to feel awkward about how they feel, that it is normal, and that you understand.
8. Hug them. A lot!
9. Ask them regularly, “How can I help you right now?”
10. If you see them choosing to spend time in the Word a midst their trials, and see them responding well, make sure you let them know that you see it and that they are doing well!
11. And make sure you take the time to thank God for the work He is doing in your child’s life, and in yours!

Parenting never reaches an easy stage. Ever! It changes with time, but it never gets easy. It has been used in my life to make me aware of my constant, desperate need for God and has caused me to throw myself at His feet for help and wisdom.

And that is exactly what it was meant to do!

Gina Smith

Gina Smith has served alongside her husband at a small Christian college right outside of Washington DC for almost 20 years, where she serves as the Dean of Women. Gina previously dedicated her days to serving her family, but now that her children are both college students she fully enjoys her calling to mentor to women and young women in person and on-line with her blog Keepin’ It Real! Gina has been a mom for 21 years and she and Brian have been married for 23 years.