Parenting a Teenager in the spectrum

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This week has been one of those weeks where everything seems to happen all at once. Our house has been full of movement, noise, laughter, tired bodies, and full hearts. It is busy in a good way, and yet busy enough to make me pause and reflect.

We are thankful. Truly thankful.

The two schools we have been praying for, AIS and Pannasastra, finally responded. They did not just respond politely. They placed orders for brownies. And then the orders doubled.

What started as a small prayer suddenly became nonstop baking.

Our kitchen turned into a workspace every night. After coming home from the university and sitting down for dinner, we no longer rested. We worked. All of us.

David had already started measuring ingredients even before I arrived. He memorized the measurements. He is so good at it. Except for cracking eggs. He still dislikes that part, and I understand. Autism shows itself in small but real ways. So I step in there.

After mixing everything together, Dad takes over. He transfers the batter into the big baking pan. It is heavy. He is careful and patient, spreading the batter evenly. Then comes the chocolate buttons. Generous. Every time. Just thinking about it makes me smile.

When the brownies go into the oven, the smell fills the air. Chocolate everywhere. Our tired bodies somehow feel lighter. It becomes our happy place.

Once baked, Dad or Pich cuts them carefully. We pack everything together and prepare for delivery the next day. Kunthy and I usually deliver them.

It has quietly become my second hustle. Not planned. Not forced. Just something God allowed to grow in this season.

But that is not all that happened this week.

Dad had to travel to Kampot to help another pastor. David left for his four days and three nights school camp in Kep for his seventh grade retreat. And I had to accompany university students to Kampong Chhnang for our integration tour.

Our house emptied out quickly.

We are deeply thankful for my sister in law Kunthy and her son Pich. They kept our household running. They managed the pasta and brownie orders while we were away. It reminded me again that family is a gift.

And then there is David.

Parenting a Teenager in the Spectrum
7th Graders (David's) camp in Kep 2026 - Photo Credit from Asian Hope International School

On David’s Camp

Is it just me, or do moms develop a special radar when something shifts in their child’s life?

The moment I dropped David off at school and watched him leave for his camp, my heart tightened. I almost cried. I held it back.

It suddenly hit me. We really do have a teenager.

When he was in kindergarten and primary school, we walked him into the campus. We brought him straight to his classroom. He needed us for everything.

Now he is in seventh grade. He walks on his own. He finds his classroom in another building. He manages his bag. He remembers his schedule.

There was a time we honestly thought he would not be able to do this because of autism. We worried quietly. We prayed deeply.

Looking at him now, I cannot deny God’s faithfulness.

Yes, I feel a little jealous. These days he expresses his needs more to his dad than to me. It is part of growing into manhood. I am thankful for it, even when it stings.

I do not always know how to explain physical or emotional changes to him. I am grateful that Vandy is calm. He explains things slowly. He listens. David listens to him and obeys.

As a mom, I admit I am emotional. Sometimes dramatic. Vandy balances me. Together we process things. That brings peace to my heart.

Packing for his camp was another reminder of how much he has grown. I helped him prepare his clothes two days ahead. To my surprise, he already knew what to bring. We even argued a little. Vandy told me to let him decide. 

Letting go is harder than I thought.

During our tuktuk ride, David said sorry for how he acted the past few nights. My eyes burned with tears. I held them back.

I told him I forgave him. And I also said sorry.

That moment felt holy.

All is well with my teenager. Praise God.



Parenting a Teenager in the Spectrum
7th Graders (David's) camp in Kep 2026 - Photo Credit from Asian Hope International School


Luke 12:40 and Parenting

That same day, my devotional pointed me to Luke 12:40.

“You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

At first, this verse sounds like it is only about the end times. About being ready for Jesus’ return.

But as a parent, especially a parent of a teenager with autism, this verse touched me differently.

Life keeps changing when we least expect it.

Our children grow.
Their needs change.
Our roles shift.
Our hearts stretch.

Jesus reminds us to be ready. Not anxious. Not fearful. Just ready.

Ready to trust Him.
Ready to surrender.
Ready to respond with grace instead of control.

Especially in parenting.

The greatest measure of who we are and what we love is how we spend our time. Most of our time goes to family, work, and responsibilities. These things matter.

But Jesus reminds us there is something more important. Staying connected to Him. Living with hearts ready for His presence.

Parenting teenagers, especially those with autism, reveals what we truly depend on.

Here are five reflections from Luke 12:40 that continue to shape my parenting journey here in Cambodia.

1. Be Ready for Growth That Comes Faster Than Expected

I was not ready for how quickly David became independent.

One moment we were guiding his every step. The next moment, he is packing his own bag and going on a four day trip.

Luke 12:40 reminds me that God often moves faster than our emotions can handle. Growth does not wait for our comfort.

In Cambodia, we often live close to family. Children stay dependent longer. Letting go feels unnatural.

But readiness means trusting that God is growing our children in His timing, not ours.

Practical Application
Practice stepping back little by little. Allow your child to try even if it feels uncomfortable. Celebrate effort, not perfection.

Prayer
Lord, help me trust You with my child’s growth. Help me release control and rest in Your care. Teach me to see progress through Your eyes, not my fears. Amen.

2. Be Ready to Apologize and Forgive

That quiet tuktuk ride changed my heart.

David said sorry. I forgave him. And I said sorry too.

Readiness includes humility.

Parents are not always right. We get tired. We react. We misunderstand. Especially when parenting a child with autism where emotions can rise quickly.

Luke 12:40 reminds me that Jesus may come at unexpected moments. I want Him to find me with a soft heart.

Practical Application
Say sorry when needed. Teach your child that repentance is strength, not weakness. Model forgiveness daily.

Prayer
Jesus, soften my heart. Help me apologize when I am wrong. Teach our family to forgive quickly and love deeply. Amen.

3. Be Ready to Trust God With Your Child’s Limitations

Autism once felt like a wall we could not climb.

Now I see it as a path God walks with us.

David has limits, but he also has gifts. Measuring ingredients. Memorizing steps. Taking responsibility.

Luke 12:40 calls us to readiness, not fear. God already knows our child’s future.

Practical Application
Focus on what your child can do today. Thank God for small victories. Stop comparing your child with others.

Prayer
God, thank You for creating my child with purpose. Help me trust You with both his strengths and weaknesses. Remind me that You are writing his story. Amen.

4. Be Ready to Stay Connected to Jesus in Busy Seasons

This week was packed. Baking. Teaching. Traveling. Parenting. Ministry.

It would have been easy to rush through without reflection.

Luke 12:40 reminds us that readiness begins with staying close to Jesus. Not perfect schedules. Just faithful connection.

Practical Application
Start and end your day with a simple prayer. Invite Jesus into your tired moments. Read even one verse when time is short.

Prayer
Jesus, stay close to us in busy days. Help us find You in ordinary routines. Renew our strength when we feel empty. Amen.

5. Be Ready to Share God’s Love Through Your Story

Our brownie business is not just business.

It is provision.
It is family teamwork.
It is testimony.

People see God through ordinary faithfulness.

Luke 12:40 reminds us not to focus on when Jesus will return, but how we live until He does.

Practical Application
Share your story honestly. Not polished. Just real. Let others see God’s faithfulness in your everyday life.

Prayer
Lord, use our family story to point others to You. Help us love well, speak truth gently, and live faithfully. Amen.

A Gentle Word for Non Believers

If you are reading this and you do not yet know Jesus, I want you to know this.

God sees you.
He sees your worries.
He sees your tired heart.
He sees your love for your child.

Jesus does not ask for perfection. He invites relationship.

Readiness is not about being good enough. It is about being willing.

Willing to trust.
Willing to surrender.
Willing to believe that you are not alone.

Closing Reflection

Parenting teenagers, especially those with autism, is a journey of constant surrender.

Luke 12:40 reminds me that readiness is not about knowing what comes next. It is about staying close to Jesus today.

I want Him to find me loving.
Forgiving.
Trusting.
Present.

All is well with my teenager.

Praise God.

😅😍🙏👦👌

Location: Kep Province, Cambodia

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