In this episode of LAUNCH, I sit down with Neal Solomon, Registered Social Worker, for one of the most honest conversations that parents of young adults need to hear.

We talk openly about the real pain points parents are living in, the hard truths and why so many families feel stuck despite good intentions. We dig into what is actually going on with today’s youth, where responsibility and boundaries fit into the picture, and how fear, guilt, and over-accommodation quietly keep everyone stuck.

Most importantly, this conversation provides clarity, direction, and hope.

The bottom line is, parents still have agency. Their voice matters more than they realize. What they choose to say, what they choose to stop doing, and how they can show up moving forward can change the direction of their adult child’s life.

If you are ready for truth bombs, tough love, honest insight, and a way forward, this episode is for you.

Discussed in this episode were these tools:

The Living Together Guide is available here: https://parentingfx.com/product-details/product/livingtogetherguide

Understand Boundaries: includes 25 Ready-to-Use Boundary Setting Settings That Every Parent Needs is here - https://parentingfx.com/boundaries

Remember to hit the follow button so you never miss an episode and please share this podcast with another parent who needs to here it.

As always, thank you for listening!

About my guest: Neal Solomon, BA., BEd, MSW, RSW

Neal has been in private practice for over 20 years. His therapeutic work focuses on mental health, anxiety, anger-management, learning difficulties, relationship issues, addictions, separation & divorce as well as grief and bereavement. He uses CBT, a Strength-Based Approach & Attachment Theory.

Contact - https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/neal-solomon-thornhill-on/1433769

💻 Shari's Parenting Course is now OPEN for REGISTRATION! “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

🎉 Just Released!

Understanding Boundaries: 25 Ready-to-Use Boundary-Setting Statements The Every Parent Needs

CLICK HERE if you Want to Discover the Secret to Finally Getting Your Adult Child to Listen & Respect You!

It's not WHAT you say, but HOW you say it that will make the BIGGEST impact.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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! C...

When adult children struggle to handle stress, responsibility, or uncertainty, parents want to know how to help them. But what if the most powerful influence isn’t what parents say or do for their adult children, but how they manage themselves?

In this episode of LAUNCH, I’m joined by Dr. Kate Lund, licensed clinical psychologist, resilience expert, TEDx speaker and best-selling author, for a conversation that shifts the focus where it belongs. We talk how adult children learn resilience by watching how their parents handle pressure, uncertainty, and discomfort, importance of being optimized and an excellent suggestion that anyone can start doing right away.

In her book Step Away, Kate Lund explores how resilience is built not through control, protection, or constant involvement, but through how parents manage their own stress, emotions, and reactions. The book challenges parents to step away from overfunctioning, emotional reactivity, and the urge to fix, and instead focus on strengthening their own capacity to tolerate discomfort, uncertainty, and imperfection.

Step Away emphasizes that children of all ages can learn resilience by watching how their parents respond to stress, setbacks, and pressure. By learning to regulate themselves, parents model the very skills their children need to develop, including coping, problem-solving, and emotional flexibility.

Dr. Kate’s book offers a framework for staying emotionally available and supportive, while stepping back from patterns that unintentionally weaken resilience and independence.

Remember to hit the follow button and please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

As always, thank you for listening!

💻 Shari's Parenting Course is now OPEN for REGISTRATION! “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

🎉 Just Released!

Understanding Boundaries: 25 Ready-to-Use Boundary-Setting Statements The Every Parent Needs

CLICK HERE if you Want to Discover the Secret to Finally Getting Your Adult Child to Listen & Respect You!

It's not WHAT you say, but HOW you say it that will make the BIGGEST impact.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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! C...

Do you want to know why you can't set boundaries without coming across as controlling, bossy or even disappointed? It's because with every attempt, it sounds like you're trying to tell them what to do, which drives them nuts, so you've given up. The problem is that most parents confuse boundaries with rules or threats and that's exactly why they don't work. But I have the solution.

If you've tried setting boundaries with your adult children only to be ignored, dismissed, or met with pushback, this episode is exactly what you've been searching for.

I'll explain why your boundaries aren't working, what message you're sending when you don't uphold them, and how to shift from avoiding conflict at all costs to using peaceful statements to express what you value, which will make the most transformational impact, not just on you and your relationship but on your adult child's future.

If you want the exact language to use, so the words you choose bring you the respect and the results you want, my new mini booklet "Understanding Boundaries," which includes 25 guilt-free boundary-setting statements that every parents needs, is now available.

www.parentingfx.com/boundaries

Please remember to hit the follow button so you never miss an episode, and share this with another parent who needs to hear it.

As always, thank you for listening!

💻 My Parenting Course is now OPEN for REGISTRATION! “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

🪺Early Bird Discounts will be Offered to Anyone on the Waitlist

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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 says, "I'm an adult, you can't tell me what to do" while living rent-free under your roof, doing absolutely nothing with their life, and expecting you to take care of everything – this episode might be exactly what you need.

This deeply flawed and delusional statement gets thrown in the faces of kind-hearted parents who feel powerless to respond without triggering days of silent treatments.

Let’s be honest. Adulthood is not something you declare because you're over 18. It's something you demonstrate through responsibility, contribution, self-management along with having life skills, life experiences, and emotional maturity.

If you're tired of walking on eggshells in your own home, if you want to reclaim your confidence and finally set the record straight so your adult child never says “I’m an adult you can’t tell me what to do” until the day they finally are – this episode gives you the exact words you need.

It's time to level up your parenting and help your adult child move toward real independence.

P.S For anyone interested in having the exact script, check the transcript section of the podcast you’re listening to. If you can’t find it, email Shari@ParentingFx.com, type the word SCRIPT in the subject, and the word-for-word script will be sent to your inbox.

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

Thank you for listening!

💻 My Parenting Course is now OPEN for REGISTRATION! “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

🪺Early Bird Discounts will be Offered to Anyone on the Waitlist

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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've ever wondered if your relationship with your parents shaped how you show up as a parent today? If so, you'll find this episode very interesting.

I sat down with Marc Cameron, author of Understanding Your Attachment Style: The Path to Overcoming Unhelpful Patterns and Building Healthy Secure Relationships to explore how parents attachment patterns shape their relationships with their children.

Attachment theory explains how our earliest relationships shape the way we connect, communicate, and respond emotionally throughout life.

In this episode, Marc shares with us that our individual attachment style plays a crucial role in the quality of our relationships and is often the strongest predictor of how secure and connected we feel with others. Yet, many people remain unaware of their own attachment style - let alone how to shift from an unhealthy style to one that fosters safer, healthier, and more fulfilling relationships.

Marc and I talk about the 5 insecure attachment styles and how each one can affect a parent’s behavior. We also explore the concept of attunement and why it plays such a powerful role in connecting with your adult child.

In his private practice, Marc helps clients develop secure emotional connections and greater awareness. He believes that when we understand the root causes of behavior through attachment theory, meaningful growth becomes possible, not only for us, but for our future generations as well.

This conversation will helps parents better understand their own patterns, recognize what may be getting in the way, and learn that is possible to develop a more secure attachment to strengthen the relationship with their children and support them along their path toward independence.

Take the Attachment Quiz to discover how your early life experiences shaped your Love Style and begin working towards a powerful and lasting change.

The link is here as well as Marc's book - https://howwelove.com/

About Marc Cameron

Marc is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Author, Speaker, Radio cohost, and Attachment specialist who helps people transform their relationships through secure connection.

Connect with Marc - https://howwelove.com/contact-us/

Remember to hit the subscribe button and share this episode with someone who would appreciate learning more about their attachment style.

Thank you for listening!

💻 My Parenting Course is now OPEN for REGISTRATION! “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

🪺Early Bird Discounts will be Offered to Anyone on the Waitlist

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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 easily overwhelmed, has poor communication skills, struggles with most adulting responsibilities, is unwilling to leave their room and go out into the world, emotional intelligence may be the missing piece.

In this episode, we break down what emotional intelligence is, how to recognize the signs in your adult, and what you can do to manage it, for yourself and for them.

You will learn why their reactions often feel disproportionate or personal, and what the research shows you can do to help your adult child build the emotional skills they need to move forward in life.

We talk about co-regulation, emotional awareness, stress tolerance, naming emotions, and how your approach can either escalate conflict or create the emotional safety needed for growth.

If you want a calmer home, with pleasant communication, where you can make real progress toward helping them become more emotionally mature, confident and independent, this episode will give you the tools and insight to begin that shift today.

Remember to hit the follow button so you never miss an episode and as always, thank you for listening!

💻 My Parenting Course is now OPEN for REGISTRATION! “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

🪺Early Bird Discounts will be Offered to Anyone on the Waitlist

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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 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!

💻 My Parenting Course is now OPEN for REGISTRATION! “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

🪺Early Bird Discounts will be Offered to Anyone on the Waitlist

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

💻 My Parenting Course is now OPEN for REGISTRATION! “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

🪺Early Bird Discounts will be Offered to Anyone on the Waitlist

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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...