Loving My Daughter Through It All: A Mother’s Story

by Carolyn

(names have been changed at the request of the family)

Hey Friend, my name is Carolyn

and I’m a mother learning what it means to love unconditionally. My daughter, Destiny, is 22 years old and works as a stripper. If you had told me years ago that this would be part of our story, I wouldn’t have believed you. But life has a way of taking unexpected turns, and through it all, I’ve learned so much about patience, love, and trusting God’s plan -- even when I can’t see the bigger picture.

I want to share my journey with you, not because I have all the answers, but because I’ve found hope and strength in loving my daughter where she is. If you’re a parent walking a similar path, I hope my story encourages you to stay connected with your child and trust in the power of love, prayer, and grace.

Learning to Love Without Judgment

When Destiny first told me she was stripping, I’ll admit, I felt like the ground had been pulled out from under me. I was heartbroken, confused, and even a little angry. But I quickly realized that shutting her out wasn’t an option. I love my daughter too much to let anything come between us, even choices I don’t fully understand.

I decided to approach Destiny with love and gentleness, even when it was hard. I asked her about her life—not just her job, but her dreams, struggles, and joys. I listened without interrupting or judging, even when her answers weren’t what I wanted to hear. I wanted her to know that no matter what, she could always talk to me and that my love for her wasn’t conditional on her choices.

Setting Boundaries With Love

While I worked hard to stay connected with Destiny, I also had to set healthy boundaries for myself. For example, I let her know I wouldn’t financially support her stripping or be involved in aspects of her life that went against my convictions. But I made sure she understood these boundaries weren’t about rejecting her—they were about staying true to my own values while loving her fully.

These boundaries gave me the space to protect my emotional and spiritual well-being while still being present in Destiny’s life. I learned that it’s possible to say, “I don’t agree with this, but I still love you,” and mean it with all my heart.

Watching Her Struggle

Over time, Destiny began opening up to me about the toll her lifestyle was taking on her. She admitted that while stripping gave her financial freedom and independence, it also left her feeling drained and sometimes disrespected. She didn’t regret her choices or feel ashamed, but she started asking bigger questions about herself and her worth.

One day, Destiny asked me, “Mom, do you think God really loves me?” That question hit me like a ton of bricks. Here was my daughter, strong and self-assured in so many ways, wrestling with something so deeply personal. I told her, “Absolutely, He does. There’s nothing you could ever do to make Him stop loving you.”

I didn’t push her to accept my faith or force her into conversations she wasn’t ready for. Instead, I answered her questions honestly, shared my experiences with God’s love, and prayed for her daily—sometimes more than once a day.

Trusting God With Her Journey

Destiny isn’t a Christian, and I’ve come to accept that her faith journey is hers to navigate. My role is to love her, pray for her, and trust that God is working in her life, even if I can’t see it. I’ve learned to let go of my need to control or “fix” her and instead focus on being a source of steady, patient love.

I’ve also leaned heavily on prayer. There are nights when I cry out to God, asking Him to guide her, protect her, and reveal His love to her in ways I never could. I trust that His timing is perfect and that He’s writing a story for Destiny that’s far beyond what I can imagine.

Finding Hope in the Journey

If you’re a parent in a similar situation, I want you to know that you’re not alone. Loving a child whose choices challenge your beliefs isn’t easy, but it’s one of the most important things you’ll ever do. Show them grace, set healthy boundaries, and keep the lines of communication open. Pray for them, even when it feels like nothing is changing. Trust that God loves them even more than you do and that He’s working in ways you can’t see.

Destiny and I are still on this journey together. She’s still asking questions about God, and I’m still praying and loving her as best as I can. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know that love, patience, and faith will continue to guide us.

From one parent to another, I encourage you to hold on to hope. God is faithful, and His love never fails—not for me, not for Destiny, and not for your child, either.