Despite the significant number of non-refoulement claimant (NRC) parents in Hong Kong, research on this population remains scarce. Established parenting theories may not fully capture the realities of marginalized population. Informed by the first author’s decade of social work experience with NRC parents, this study adopts a phenomenological lens to apprehend the originary appearance of NRC parenting during their sojourn in Hong Kong. Heideggerian interpretive phenomenological approach was adopted. Twelve NRC parents from five different countries of origin were interviewed between June to July 2023. Data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis complemented by reflective methods to theme analysis. Analysis revealed five key themes: (1) competing deprivation with guilt and shame, (2) drifting in sojourn, (3) grounding in the immediacy of life, (4) coping with loneliness through parenting, and (5) enduring hope in parenting. The meanings of the act of parenting which endures connections, hopes, and life meanings were also captured. The meaning-centered and temporal facets of NRC parents’ parenting experiences suggest that parenting theories should place greater emphasis on these existential dimensions. It further recommends integrating these facets into social work practice to ensure greater depth and clinical relevance.