LAUNCH: Parenting Tips for Raising Adult Children & Building Better Relationships – Détails, épisodes et analyse

If your adult child is struggling to make friends, feels socially anxious, avoids real-life interactions, or seems unsure how to build meaningful connections, this episode will give you clarity and direction. 

Many parents assume social skills are something young adults simply pick up, but the truth is that these skills must be understood, taught, and practiced in real life. Social skills are so important. They shape confidence, emotional wellbeing, communication, relationships, and ultimately contribute to a young adult’s ability to live independently.

In this conversation, I speak with Mara McLoughlin, Founder and Program Director of IRL Social Skills, about why so many young adults find social situations difficult, why belonging matters more than “perfect” social performance, and what parents can do to help. Mara explains the hidden challenges young adults face, what masking looks like, and why social cues can feel overwhelming or confusing for those who have never received explicit teaching.

If you worry about your young adult’s friendships, communication, or ability to connect in the real world, and why it's so important to address these issues, this episode is for you.

About Mara McLoughlin and How to Connect With Her:

Mara McLoughlin, MS, CCC-SLP
Founder and Program Director

Website -  https://www.irlsocialskills.com/
Contact -  learn@irlsocialskills.com

Blog - https://www.irlsocialskills.com/irl-blog

Phone - (971) 373-4836

Mara is a highly respected speech language pathologist with more than 15 years of experience helping autistic teens and young adults communicate, connect, and express themselves. Mara and her team developed IRL Social Skills to help teach teens and young adults across the United States the social skills they need to build real-world connections, and they’ve been doing that important work since 2021. 

Please reach out to discover how you can help your young adult and let her know you heard her on LAUNCH (she'll love that!).

Remember to hit the FOLLOW button and please share this episode with another parent who needs to hear this.

Thanks for listening!

💻 Shari's Parenting Course is now OPEN!  “Journey to Independence: A Step-by-Step Roadmap to Guiding and Launching Your Adult Child.” 

For more information and where to sign up, visit: https://parentingfx.com/parentingcourse

Do you want to know if your adult child is struggling with Failure to Launch? Grab the FREE Failure to Launch Checklist here:  

🗣️One-on-One Consultations are available. Click here!

Email me if you have any questions at: Shari@ParentingFX.com

🎙️Remember to hit the SUBSCRIBE button so you never miss an episode. 

Shari can be found on Instagram & TikTok Search @sharijonaslifefx

YouTube has all of the interviews available to watch! CLICK HERE...

If your adult child is unmotivated, uninterested, lacks direction, lives without purpose, ambition or desire to do anything with their life, this episode will speak directly to you. So many young adults today have lost their spark. They feel disconnected, bored, and uninterested in almost everything, except maybe gaming. They have no goals, no plans and no passion for anything. It is nothing short of heartbreaking for a parent to watch. And the worst part is, you can't understand why. This is not the child that you remember. The light inside of them has dimmed and they seem so terribly unhappy.

Julia Black, author of Lights On Learning, offers a powerful way to understand what is really going on inside your adult child. She explains why so many young adults enter a lights off state, how they can become shutdown and why it is often mistaken for laziness. Her work shows that when a young adult discovers what lights them up, everything changes. Motivation grows. Confidence rises. They become more connected, more capable and more willing to step into their own life. It's as if an entirely different person emerges.

Personally, I found this conversation to be one of the most enlightening episodes so far, providing hope, optimism and unlimited possibility - once you understand the switch that is missing in your adult child's life. 

You have so much power to help light them up, you'll be shocked. I'm certain that you will learn something you haven't before, and this episode will truly be your guiding light. No pun intended.

How to Contact Julia Black

https://www.lightsonuniverse.com/contact-us

Take the Free Scorecard: https://www.lightsonuniverse.com/lights-on-offerings

Lights on Learning is HERE

The article by Dr. Kate Lund about Julia Black is HERE 

"Raising Resilient Kids: Julia Black of 'Lights on Learning' On Strategies for Nurturing Emotional Strength in Children."

Please remember to hit the follow button so you never miss an episode, and I always hope you share these episodes with anyone who needs to them.

With gratitude,

Shari

💻 Shari's Parenting Course is now OPEN!  “Journey to Independence: A Step-by-Step Roadmap to Guiding and Launching Your Adult Child.” 

For more information and where to sign up, visit: https://parentingfx.com/parentingcourse

Do you want to know if your adult child is struggling with Failure to Launch? Grab the FREE Failure to Launch Checklist here:  

🗣️One-on-One Consultations are available. Click here!

Email me if you have any questions at: Shari@ParentingFX.com

🎙️Remember to hit the SUBSCRIBE button so you never miss an episode. 

Shari can be found on Instagram & TikTok Search @sharijonaslifefx

YouTube has all of the interviews available to watch! CLICK HERE...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Janet Krebs, speaker, HR consultant, educational strategist, and 4X best-selling author who empowers parents and influencers to lead with confidence, self-reliance, and heart, blending practical leadership tools with real-world parenting strategies.

We talk about why parenting is leadership and how parents can raise strong, confident, and independent adults. Janet shares her insights on the essential life skills kids need to thrive, the 3 C’s every parent should know, how to instill responsibility, and why it’s so important for parents to remain leaders regardless of their child’s age.

If you’re a parent wondering how to help your young adult grow in confidence, self-reliance, and independence, this conversation will give you the tools and mindset to make lasting changes in your parenting approach.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why parents must lead at every stage of their child’s life
• The 3 C’s that help kids thrive
• How to instill responsibility without overstepping
• Parenting as leadership and what it looks like in daily life
• How to raise confident, independent young adults who are ready to thrive

This episode is for parents of teens, young adults, and adult children who want to build stronger family relationships and prepare their kids for independence.

How to contact Janet:

www.JanetKrebs.com

Email: ask@janetkrebs.com

_________________________________________________________________________________

💻 Shari's Parenting Course is now OPEN!  “Journey to Independence: A Step-by-Step Roadmap to Guiding and Launching Your Adult Child.” 

For more information and where to sign up, visit: https://parentingfx.com/parentingcourse

Do you want to know if your adult child is struggling with Failure to Launch? Grab the FREE Failure to Launch Checklist here:  

🗣️One-on-One Consultations are available. Click here!

Email me if you have any questions at: Shari@ParentingFX.com

🎙️Remember to hit the SUBSCRIBE button so you never miss an episode. 

Shari can be found on Instagram & TikTok Search @sharijonaslifefx

YouTube has all of the interviews available to watch! CLICK HERE...

If you grew up with a narcissistic parent or experienced childhood trauma, you may still feel the effects today most notably in how you parent your own children.

In this episode of LAUNCH, I sit down with Certified Inner Child Reparenting Coach Maria Riegger to talk about how healing past trauma can not only transform the way you raise your kids but build an "unshakeable" foundation. We cover what it really means to heal childhood trauma, how unresolved wounds from a narcissistic mom or dad can impact your parenting, and why reparenting yourself  (also explained) is the key to becoming a more connected and compassionate parent. 

Maria shares practical advice on understanding and setting healthy boundaries, breaking free from one's past, and creating a deeper bond with your children built on trust and respect, for who they are. It is invaluable for parents to have that connection with their child, and if you’re struggling with it, the reason may be that there’s healing you still need to do.

If you’ve ever wondered how your own childhood experiences affect your parenting or how healing from trauma can help you connect with your child in a healthier way this incredible episode is for you.

Please share it with someone who needs to hear it, and I know that many parents do. They will thank you. Remember to hit the FOLLOW button so you never miss an episode!

How to Connect with Maria Riegger:

Email: maria@lawschoolheretic.com  Blog: www.lawschoolheretic.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-riegger-esq/ 

Instagram: http://instagram.com/rieggemr 

Amazon Author page: https://amzn.to/2RS3YMU Audiobooks: https://lawschoolheretic.com/audiobooks/ 

Maria's Article (that I quoted from): https://www.brainzmagazine.com/post/why-your-childhood-trauma-makes-you-a-better-parent

💻 Shari's Parenting Course is now OPEN!  “Journey to Independence: A Step-by-Step Roadmap to Guiding and Launching Your Adult Child.” 

For more information and where to sign up, visit: https://parentingfx.com/parentingcourse

Do you want to know if your adult child is struggling with Failure to Launch? Grab the FREE Failure to Launch Checklist here:  

🗣️One-on-One Consultations are available. Click here!

Email me if you have any questions at: Shari@ParentingFX.com

🎙️Remember to hit the SUBSCRIBE button so you never miss an episode. 

Shari can be found on Instagram & TikTok Search @sharijonaslifefx

YouTube has all of the interviews available to watch! CLICK HERE...

Are you a mature parent wondering if you’re financially prepared for retirement? Maybe you still have a few working years ahead, but you know planning for your retirement should be a priority. Or perhaps retirement is already on your mind, but you’re worried it could be delayed because your adult kids are still living at home.

My guest today is Eric Mangold, founder of Argosy Wealth Management. I'll warn you, this might not be the sexiest interview - I mean, who loves talking about money? But, it is an important one and Eric does a great job answering questions like, Will I have enough money? When can I retire? And, should I tell my kids about what - if any - will be left for them when I'm not around anymore. 

These are some of the biggest financial concerns mature parents face.

Eric shares his expert advice on how to feel more confident about your retirement, what steps you can take right now to strengthen your finances, and how to protect yourself from running out of money. We also talk about what parents can teach their young adults about money and how they can build strong money habits for the future.

If you’re worried about how you’ll retire, unsure how to save, how much you’ll need, or what steps to take next; this conversation will give you clarity and practical direction. 

Click here to watch this Episode on YouTube: 

Reach out to Eric (and tell him you found him here - He'll LOVE that!)

Eric Mangold, CWS

Founder, Wealth Manager

emangold@argosywealthmanagement.com

https://www.emangold.com/

Cell: (201) 232-0676

Phone: (973) 285-3520

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

💻 Shari's Parenting Course is now OPEN!  “Journey to Independence: A Step-by-Step Roadmap to Guiding and Launching Your Adult Child.” 

For more information and where to sign up, visit: https://parentingfx.com/parentingcourse

Do you want to know if your adult child is struggling with Failure to Launch? Grab the FREE Failure to Launch Checklist here:  

🗣️One-on-One Consultations are available. Click here!

Email me if you have any questions at: Shari@ParentingFX.com

🎙️Remember to hit the SUBSCRIBE button so you never miss an episode. 

Shari can be found on Instagram & TikTok Search @sharijonaslifefx

YouTube has all of the interviews available to watch! CLICK HERE...

One of the hardest parts about being a parent is watching your adult child move through life feeling hopeless, stuck in a negativity loop about how bad their life is. You can’t give them confidence or purpose but you can model a practice proven by neuroscience to change the brain’s chemistry. 

In this episode, I'll explain how something as simple as practicing gratitude impacts their brain, interrupts their ruminating thoughts, lifts their mood, reduces their worries, improves their sleep, and even restores hope. 

As always, I'll being sharing simple, practical ways that you can model gratitude and in so doing, guide your young adult to do the same. If they are moping around, feeling purposeless and discouraged, this episode will show you how the daily practice of gratitude can open the door to hope and possibility.

Let the neurotransmitters show you how!

Please share this episode with someone who needs a boost. 

💻 Shari's Parenting Course is now OPEN!  “Journey to Independence: A Step-by-Step Roadmap to Guiding and Launching Your Adult Child.” 

For more information and where to sign up, visit: https://parentingfx.com/parentingcourse

Do you want to know if your adult child is struggling with Failure to Launch? Grab the FREE Failure to Launch Checklist here:  

🗣️One-on-One Consultations are available. Click here!

Email me if you have any questions at: Shari@ParentingFX.com

🎙️Remember to hit the SUBSCRIBE button so you never miss an episode. 

Shari can be found on Instagram & TikTok Search @sharijonaslifefx

YouTube has all of the interviews available to watch! CLICK HERE...

Resilience and emotional regulation are two of the most critical life skills a young adult needs, but how do they develop and what role do parents play?

In this episode, I sit down with Miki Johnston, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 30 years of experience working with teens, young adults, and their families. Together, we explore why so many young adults today struggle with handling emotions, coping with setbacks, and bouncing back from life’s challenges and what parents can do to help.

We break down what emotional regulation and resilience are, how these skills are shaped in the home, why modeling matters more than lecturing, and how Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg’s 7 C’s of Resilience can guide your parenting approach.

If you want to raise a young adult who can manage stress, make healthy decisions, and thrive in the real world, this conversation will show you where to start.

How to contact my  Guest.

Miki Johnston  MSW, LCSW

Therapist, Speaker, Consultant

Email@mikijohnstontherapy.con

Website: MikiJohnstontherapy.com

💻 Shari's Parenting Course is now OPEN!  “Journey to Independence: A Step-by-Step Roadmap to Guiding and Launching Your Adult Child.” 

For more information and where to sign up, visit: https://parentingfx.com/parentingcourse

Do you want to know if your adult child is struggling with Failure to Launch? Grab the FREE Failure to Launch Checklist here:  

🗣️One-on-One Consultations are available. Click here!

Email me if you have any questions at: Shari@ParentingFX.com

🎙️Remember to hit the SUBSCRIBE button so you never miss an episode. 

Shari can be found on Instagram & TikTok Search @sharijonaslifefx

YouTube has all of the interviews available to watch! CLICK HERE...

Divorce is never easy but what you never expected was how it would impact your adult children. 

In this episode, Divorce Coach, Therapist, Mediator, and Co-Parenting Expert Jill Barnett Kaufman joins me to talk about what parents need to know when navigating divorce. We touch on so many issues; the benefits of mediation, the importance of communication, managing the change in living arrangements, not getting in the middle, the guilt, the money and more. 

Whether your divorce is high-conflict or amicable, the impact on your family is one of life's biggest upsets, but there is always a silver living - which we talk about, too.

If you’re worried about how your divorce will affect your adult kids or you’re already in the middle of it, this episode will give you practical advice, honest answers, and compassionate guidance to help you manage this transition and protect your relationships moving forward. 

Remember to share this episode with someone who needs to hear it and SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode.

If you feel like leaving a comment, I would love to hear from you! 🫶

Here’s how to contact my Guest today:

Jill Barnett Kaufman, MSW, LCSW

DIVORCE COACH, THERAPIST & CO-PARENTING EXPERT

Contact: info@divorcecoachjill.com  www.divorcecoachjill.com

IG: divorcecoachjill  FB:divorceandcoparentingexpert

💻 Shari's Parenting Course is now OPEN!  “Journey to Independence: A Step-by-Step Roadmap to Guiding and Launching Your Adult Child.” 

For more information and where to sign up, visit: https://parentingfx.com/parentingcourse

Do you want to know if your adult child is struggling with Failure to Launch? Grab the FREE Failure to Launch Checklist here:  

🗣️One-on-One Consultations are available. Click here!

Email me if you have any questions at: Shari@ParentingFX.com

🎙️Remember to hit the SUBSCRIBE button so you never miss an episode. 

Shari can be found on Instagram & TikTok Search @sharijonaslifefx

YouTube has all of the interviews available to watch! CLICK HERE...

Sometimes the most powerful parenting lessons don’t come from experts or books, they come from the kids who have already lived through the consequences of what they didn’t get at home. 

Decades ago, I read an article about a group of troubled youth who shared what they wish their parents had done differently and what they needed the most from them. Their words are just as relevant today as they were back then.  

I want to share their suggestions with you as I believe they echo a truth we can’t afford to ignore and you'll understand why every parent needs to hear these 10 pieces of advice today.

Change starts with you.

Remember to hit the + button to follow. Not only does it tell me you like the podcast, but you'll get notified every time I drop an episode. 

Big hugs today. 

💻 Shari's Parenting Course is now OPEN!  “Journey to Independence: A Step-by-Step Roadmap to Guiding and Launching Your Adult Child.” 

For more information and where to sign up, visit: https://parentingfx.com/parentingcourse

Do you want to know if your adult child is struggling with Failure to Launch? Grab the FREE Failure to Launch Checklist here:  

🗣️One-on-One Consultations are available. Click here!

Email me if you have any questions at: Shari@ParentingFX.com

🎙️Remember to hit the SUBSCRIBE button so you never miss an episode. 

Shari can be found on Instagram & TikTok Search @sharijonaslifefx

YouTube has all of the interviews available to watch! CLICK HERE...

Have you ever heard terms like “boundaries,” “holding space,”  or “emotional co-regulation,” and thought to yourself, “They keep throwing those words around but I really don’t know what they mean."

How can you ever practice something when no one really explains them?

I got you. In this episode, I break down 15 of the most common therapy terms that parents of adult children often hear but don't understand. These phrases are everywhere in parenting conversations and online advice, but without context, they can be confusing or even misused.

Whether you’re trying to improve communication, reconnect, or just better understand your adult child’s emotional world, this episode will help. You’ll learn what these popular psychology and self-help buzzwords actually mean, why they matter, and how they can be applied to your relationship in a real, meaningful way.

If you want to feel more confident in the way you speak, respond, and relate to your adult child, this episode is a must-listen.

Remember to hit the SUBSCRIBE button so you never miss an episode, and if you know someone who will appreciate it, please share. 

Thanks for listening!

P.S. Podcasting is great, but it's also like talking into a cavernous cavern. (I went hiking and climbing through them the other day, so my reference is for real!) 

My point is, I have no idea if anyone is listening, so if you want to reach me, tell me what you think, share some topics with me that you'd love to me to talk about - or find guests to talk about, I'd love to hear from you, love to hear from you, love to hear from you. (Get it? That's an echo.)

Shari@ParentingFX.com

💻 Shari's Parenting Course is now OPEN!  “Journey to Independence: A Step-by-Step Roadmap to Guiding and Launching Your Adult Child.” 

For more information and where to sign up, visit: https://parentingfx.com/parentingcourse

Do you want to know if your adult child is struggling with Failure to Launch? Grab the FREE Failure to Launch Checklist here:  

🗣️One-on-One Consultations are available. Click here!

Email me if you have any questions at: Shari@ParentingFX.com

🎙️Remember to hit the SUBSCRIBE button so you never miss an episode. 

Shari can be found on Instagram & TikTok Search @sharijonaslifefx

YouTube has all of the interviews available to watch! CLICK HERE...