There are times when your young woman is going to struggle. There could be a wide variety of reasons for these struggles. She could be having a hard time in school. She could be struggling with her self-esteem or her testimony. She might struggle with an eating disorder. She might be having a hard time with her friends. She could be rebelling in every possible way, and you might be at a loss with how to help her.
It can be difficult to watch your daughter go through these difficult times in her life. It can be even more difficult when during these struggles she strays from the church down other paths. It may be heartbreaking to see the choices that she is making and the path that they are taking her. You will likely want to do everything you can to help her. It may be difficult to know what that is.
No matter what you do, you need to let your daughter know that you love her. If her choices lead you to a point where you can no longer allow her to live at home, you still need to let her know that you love her. That you will be there when she is ready to come back, and that she can come back. The surety of the love is going to help her when she is ready to change.
The next thing you can do to help her is to pray for her. I rebelled while I was in high school. Nothing too horrible, but I had a period where I was inactive. I was angry with everyone and everything. Years later I found out that my mom had fasted and prayed for me each week. She also called my leaders and some of my schoolteachers (I grew up in Utah) and asked them to fast and pray for me as well. It really touched me to know that this happened on my behalf.
If your daughter is receptive you can speak to her about how the scriptures have been a source of comfort and guidance in your life. You can share your own personal struggles with similar issues. You can be supportive and help in the ways that your daughter wants you to. Encourage your daughter’s church leaders to continue to reach out to her. Once she is over eighteen ask that visiting teachers be assigned to her.
If your daughter has truly strayed from the path of the church, there is still hope. She may come back one day. I know several people who have. You can also read more about the promises made to parents of wayward children here.