Two years after I was born, Martin Luther King delivered his famous speech  at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. that has become one of the most inspiring and quoted speeches of all time. As I write and speak and work with families facing sometimes overwhelming challenges with their children, I am reminded often of the dreams inspired by this one man who found a way to give HOPE to millions.

I too have a dream.

I dream of families working together to find solutions, healing from past mistakes and failures, and finding the best in each other.

I understand that parenting is tough! I understand that some of you are carrying enormous baggage. You’re carrying the mistakes of your parents, the burden of your own journey through life, and trying to find a way to pass on the good to your children. Some of you battle your own internal demons that threaten to take over your life. Some of you had a childhood of gentle nurturing and are confused and overwhelmed by the rebellion and poor choices of your teenagers. Some of you are discouraged and just plain tired.

Don’t give up hope!

No matter how discouraged you feel about your relationship with your teenager and the challenges your family is facing, there is always hope. Don’t stay in that place of despair!

I have a dream. I dream that one day you will embrace the fact that all children, of any age, are on a precious journey and need your enthusiastic support.

I have a dream. I dream that one day soon the moments of discouragement in your family will be outshone by the moments of joy.

I have a dream. I dream that the conflicts and battles you now have with your teen son or daughter will be replaced by a new understanding of what it means to support this ‘becoming’ person’s journey toward adulthood.

I have a dream. I dream that you will have the courage to transform your family into a place where each member will have the tools they need and the support they crave to create the life they were meant for.

I have a dream. I dream that the wounds you carry will heal through your own intentional personal recovery, and that the wounds your children carry will heal through the intentional application of powerful and mindful parenting.

I have a dream. I dream that you will grasp hold of ways that work to be a collaborator in your son’s and daughter’s growing up experience.

I have a dream. I dream that one day we will all erase the allure of bullying, put-downs, and judgement, and will learn instead to celebrate differences.

I have a dream. I dream that soon, the negative influences on your children from a globally connected society will be overshadowed by the uplifting influences on them from home.

I have a dream. I dream that all children, of any age, will have a parent who loves them unconditionally, who forgives them generously, and who lets them borrow HOPE as they find their own.

I have a dream. I dream that one day, this day, you will let go of fear and transform your family into a powerful force of HOPE and healing.

What is your dream? When you look at your children, what is your dream? As you nurture your own dream, are you able to enthusiastically support your child’s dream? When your teenagers make mistakes, make poor choices, rebuff your best attempts to guide their feet on the right path, do you hold onto your dream? Or do you give it up as unrealistic or too much effort? Don’t give up your dream! No matter what, there is a solution to the challenge you face. When you hear a story of healing and renewal, let go of your need to say, “that’s nice, but it would never work in my family.” Live with insatiable HOPE, holding fast to your dream of a healthy family.

Your turn:

What is your dream? How do you struggle to hold on to your dream when your family is faced with challenges? Share your dreams here. There is always HOPE!