The Son That Got Away is a story that, while being tragically common today, is still experienced by far too many parents and families. It refers to the child or child-teen that simply makes bad decisions and ultimately leaves home. The outcomes of the situation are drastically varied depending on the individual, with some individuals going on to lead successful, fulfilled lives, whereas others succumb to the harsh realities of the world and descend into a life of dysfunction, danger, and delinquency.

The first step for a parent when it is apparent that a son or daughter is heading down the wrong path and is seemingly about to 'get away' is to take a deep breath and acknowledge the situation and allow themselves to process the emotions that are...