Sometimes that involves something difficult: accompanying them without rushing, listening without judging, supporting them without imposing.
Because when a person feels understood, they can bring order to their life. When they feel invalidated, they harden or break down inside.
Practical Tips and Recommendations
Take their inner world seriously.
If they tell you about a dream, an intuition, or a concern, don’t ridicule them. Ask: “What did you feel?” “What do you think it was trying to show you?”
Don’t be afraid of their difficult questions.
Asking questions isn’t betrayal. Sometimes it’s the clearest sign that they’re searching for something genuine.
Help them create spaces of silence.
Not as punishment, but as mental hygiene: walks, nature, reading, screen-free time, breathing exercises, prayer, or meditation, according to their beliefs.
Distinguish between a spiritual crisis and a simple “whim.”
If there is deep suffering, don’t minimize it. Offer support and, if necessary, seek professional help without shame.
Don’t try to force them to “normalize.”
Pressuring them to fit in can lead to two extremes: a complete breakdown or a life that appears “correct” on the outside but is empty on the inside.
Be mindful of how you correct them. You can set boundaries, of course. But correcting behavior is one thing, and attacking their identity is another.
Support their calling, even if it scares you. Not every calling fits within the traditional framework. Ask, “How would you make it sustainable?” instead of “That won’t work.”
Foster a real community. Ensure they have trustworthy people: healthy friends, spaces for conversation, support groups, and meaningful activities. Loneliness intensifies the shadow.
Teach them discernment, not superstition. If they talk about signs or coincidences, guide them to helpful questions: “What is inviting you to change?” “What is it showing you about yourself?”
Be an example of growth. The best help isn’t giving lectures; it’s showing that you, too, are still learning, changing, and searching.
If your children were born between 1980 and 1999, they may not be “lost,” but rather going through a process of integration: uniting reason and spirit, tradition and change, identity and purpose. Your support, your listening ear, and your patience can be the bridge that helps them transform their sensitivity into strength, and their search into a life of meaning.
