# How to return to a "Parent" Action List in error/exception state?
**URL:** https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/how-to-return-to-a-parent-action-list-in-error-exception-state/683
**Category:** Discussion
**Created:** [December 6, 2007, 6:18am UTC](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/how-to-return-to-a-parent-action-list-in-error-exception-state/683 "2007-12-06T06:18:54Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@mikep](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/u/mikep)
#### Post date: [December 6, 2007, 6:18am UTC](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/how-to-return-to-a-parent-action-list-in-error-exception-state/683/1 "2007-12-06T06:18:54Z")
Hi,
I'm not sure how to explain this scenario, so I'm using the pseudo-code below to help.
I have a Parent Action List that calls an Child Action List. The Child Action List has a Try-Catch-End block. When an exception is caught, I send an email and then exit the Child Action List. Because of the way the Child's exception is handled, the Parent really doesn't know about it.
My question is: what can I do to make the Parent Action List aware of the exception? I'd like to return to the parent in an exception state, but I can't figure out how to do that. If I use the Raise Exception action, the entire execution stops. I also tried using Finally instead of Catch (to avoid resetting the error state), but that didn't work either.
Am I overlooking something here??
Thanks!
Parent Action List
{
do stuff
call Child Action List
do stuff
}
Child Action List
{
do stuff
Try
try something
Catch
oops it caused an exception
send an email
Exit Action List
End
do stuff
}
---
### Author:  [@angus](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/u/angus)
#### Post date: [December 6, 2007, 11:34am UTC](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/how-to-return-to-a-parent-action-list-in-error-exception-state/683/2 "2007-12-06T11:34:24Z")
Hi Mike,
The "Raise Exception" action works for me in this scenario. You'll need to use "Raise Exception", not "Stop Run" (stop run stops the build right there and then.)
Looking at your example, you'll also need to put a Try... Catch around the "Run Child Action List" action in order to catch the exception at the parent level, though, or it will stop execution (the parent's Run Action List action will fail with an error.)
Hth.
Regards,
Angus