Help Your Teen Prepare For Young Adulthood

During your child's second 12 years of life, from ages 13-24, you will play a huge role in shaping who they become in young adulthood. It’s common to think of the active parenting role ending when a child turns 18 or graduates high school. This is not the case.

Whether your child goes away to college, takes a “gap year” abroad, lives at home and goes to community college, moves out and gets a job and provides their
own support, lives at home and gets a job, or creates some other situation, you will still be active parents and your child will still need your support in many ways. This could be especially true now during the pandemic, as schooling looks different this year and your teen or young adult may be facing different circumstances post-high school than they planned for.

So, whether you're looking to help your 15, 16, or 17-year-old prepare for young adulthood or you want to help your young adult grow more of the skills they need before they embark on their own, I've gathered some of my past podcasts episodes that can help you. These topics were brought on by questions parents just like you asked me, seeking advice. I hope they're beneficial to you.

1. How To Mentor An Unhealthy Young Adult (And How Not To)

When it comes to unhealthy young adults, we often want to step right in and mentor them. In this delicate situation, there is a right and wrong way to help. I provide some solutions that you can use if you're facing this situation with the teen in your life.

2. Will My Teenager Be A Successful Adult?

Do you worry that your child’s behavior will prevent him from thriving in adulthood? On my 50th episode, I answer a question from a concerned dad. We address several important issues, including how to help teens with high-functioning autism.

3. How Can I Support My Anxious Young Adult?

Sometimes, we give a little extra financial and emotional support to a young adult who needs it. But how and when does it end? In this episode, I respond to a mom who is supporting her daughter with an Anxiety Disorder financially and emotionally.

4. After High School, Push Reset on the Parent-Teen Relationship

The transition from teen to young adult is a big one. You may need to make some changes in the dynamic of your parent-teen relationship. Check out this episode for tools to help navigate this life change.

5. How Will My Irresponsible Son Be Successful In College?

Have you had to stay on top of your teenager to get their work done in high school and wonder how they will manage the responsibilities of college? Check out this episode for actionable tips to help your teen prepare for young adulthood.

6. Am I Helping or Enabling my Young Adult Child?

Many parents struggle with helping their young adult children become independent and motivated to transition into adulthood. So what is the right balance between helping them make the transition or just enabling them to rely on your assistance?

7. Want a Happy, Successful Kid? Help Them Grow The Big Five!

Did you know that teens and young adults are in an important phase of brain development? In this episode, I discuss how that influences their higher-order thinking, also known as Executive Functions.

8. The Challenges and Treatment Options for Young Adults Today

What do you do when your young adult has issues with anxiety, depression, or addiction, and they’re no longer moving forward and making progress in their life? In this episode, I discuss the challenges young adults face today with Dr. Mark Burdick, an international psychologist, and placement specialist.

9. The Right Way To Get Your Kid Into A Great College

The college admissions scandal is a horrible example of the opportunity gap between the connected wealthy and the rest of us. Yet I think it reveals something more subtle that’s worth our self-reflection. In this episode, I address the scandal and speaks to the importance of character development for achieving personal happiness and success.

10. My Young Adult Son Is Controlled By His Mother

What do you do when your 20-year-old son won’t spend time with you, a caring Dad, because he’s afraid of his mother’s wrath? Parent alienation syndrome can result when a couple divorces and the family splits up. But how can you resolve this when your child is a young adult and still being controlled by one parent?

Are you looking for more ways to help you find a strategy to parent your teen during their second 12 years?  I've prepared a free gift just for you. It’s called Parenting Through Your Child's Second 12 Years. Download my gift to read and learn about the different stages of adolescence and critical strategies parents can use to avoid control battles and best support their adolescents’ quest for happy successful independence.

I hope you find these podcasts beneficial like so many other parents have. If you enjoyed these topics and are eager to be the first to know about new podcast episodes, sign up for my weekly email. If you are enjoying my podcast, please stop over to my iTunes site Healthy Family Connections. Click on ratings and reviews, and write a brief review. It will let other parents know they can find value, too.

Remember: take care of yourselves; you need it, you deserve it, you’re worth it.

Have a question for Neil?

Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast:

Don't want to miss an episode?

Be sure to subscribe to The Healthy Family Connections Podcast on iTunes for up to date information and advice from Neil D Brown -- all for free!

Want to tell your friends about The Healthy Family Connections Podcast?

Want to start a conversation with Neil?

Drop a note in the comment section below.

We look forward to hearing from you!