When a child drifts away from the faith

Many parents raised their children in the faith with love and effort, and they see a son or daughter stop going to Mass, mock what they used to believe or take paths that hurt them. It hurts, and it often comes with guilt: what did I do wrong? Insisting usually doesn't work, and cutting them off doesn't either. What helps most is not forcing, keeping the affection, leaving the door open and watching for any sign. Letting your child know they can come back home (and back to the faith) without asking permission. Often there's nothing to do but wait and pray, with patience and gentleness. Some parents sum it up like this: "My God, now it's your turn." That's not giving up. It's recognizing that this child is, before anything else, a child of God.