Another book that has revived me when I feel my emotions slipping is Parenting the Prodigal, by S. Rutherford McDill, Jr. Consider these few paragraphs:
Stay calm. . . . Your prodigal wants you to be hysterical; that’s his payoff. Don’t give it. This refusal gives your prodigal the sense that you are basically grounded, unshaken, in control. If you lose your cool you may exchange words that will wound your relationship. If you feel as if you are about to explode, take a break. Get away from the scene and collect yourself. Do some deep breathing, listen to relaxing music, go for a walk or run. Let your surging adrenaline return to rest levels. The aim is to model self-control. . . .
When times get especially bad, the thought of a porch light and an open door may be the only direction-finding device your prodigal has. . . . Knowing that the door is always open, the porch light is on, and the welcome mat is out will draw your child home like a magnet.16.