About this episode

Jami discusses the challenges faced by adoptive parents when their adult children reject them with guest Renaut van der Riet.

In this episode of The Forgotten Podcast , Jami sits down with Renaut van der, Lead Pastor of Mosaic Church in Orlando, Florida, to discuss the difficult and often unspoken challenge faced by adoptive and foster parents: what to do when your adult child rejects you . Renaut and his wife, Brooke, are parents to eight children, including four adopted from Ethiopia. Renaut shares the deeply personal and painful experience of having two adopted daughters cut off relationship and label the family as "toxic" and "abusive". The conversation frames this experience using the prodigal child paradigm to provide a biblical framework for navigating this complexity. Renaut discusses the tension between pursuing and letting go, distinguishing between normal rebellion and the child wanting the parents' provision ("stuff") but not the relationship ("you"). He offers practical guidance on setting boundaries, parenting the children who remain in the home, and maintaining an open heart while trusting God with the timing of potential reconciliation, reminding listeners that they are in a "safe story, just a dangerous chapter". About the Guest Renaut van der is the Lead Pastor of Mosaic Church in…

People in this episode

Host: Jami

Guest: Renaut van der Riet

Topics covered

• adoption
• parenting
• family relationships
• reconciliation
• boundaries
• faith

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Mosaic Church

Places: Orlando, Florida, Ethiopia

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