If your adult child feels lost, unmotivated, and unsure about their future, you might love this episode - especially if your young adult is struggling to find out what they want to do and which career would "light them up".

I’m speaking with Kristin Clark, a Career Exploration Coach who uses the CliftonStrengths assessment (which I mentioned in Episode #25), along with her own unique formula, to help young adults better understand where their interests can take them.

We talk about why so many young adults lack the confidence when it comes to choosing a career path, how you can support this exploration process and what Kristen can do to help your adult child believe there is something out there that truly suits who they are and what they love.

If your young adult feels stuck and hopeless because they think there is no career for them, this conversation is just what you need to help them discover their strengths and move forward with confidence.

Here's the link to Mama Bear Legal where you can get the power of attorney documents that Kristen mentioned during the episode:

https://share.mamabearlegalforms.com/5cvgs

Kristen has helped so many young adults. If you want to contact her, everything you is below (included a free download). Please let her know that you listened to her on LAUNCH!

Website: https://www.KristinClark.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KristinClarkCoaching

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kristinclark.careercoach

Free Download: Career Conversations Workbook Bundle (a $28 value)

The workbooks include conversation starters, activities, books/podcast recommendations, and much more

https://www.coachaccountable.com/offering/PkHIycLGqQOelf6IEbFGH82Zbe9sINn

💻 The Waitlist is now open for my Parenting Course is 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/pages/the-parenting-course

I hope you’ll put your name down and reserve a spot!

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Do you want to know if your adult child is struggling with Failure to Launch? Grab the free Failure to Launch Checklist here: https://parentingfx.com/pages/ftl-checklist

🗣️I’m looking for a small focus group of parents who are willing to share their deepest concerns, their worries, and what keeps them up at night. Please email me: Shari@ParentingFX.com for the dates and times.

Click here to receive Shari's Free LAUNCH Advice Newsletter

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

Shari can be found on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Search for: @sharijonaslifefx

You’ve heard it said, “You’re only as happy as your saddest child,” and perhaps this is your mantra. But what if that belief is holding you back from being the parent that your adult child needs? Can you lead them through their struggles and help them overcome their fears when you feel as bad as they do?

Today, we’re talking about emotional enmeshment; what it is, how to recognize it, and how to start untangling yourself from your adult child’s emotions, while loving and guiding them every step of the way.

From this episode:

A few gentle reminders to ease you through this process of separating your emotions from your adult child's:

My child doesn’t need me to feel what they’re feeling. They need me to lead them through it.

My child doesn’t want me to be weak.
They want me to show them emotional strength.

My child won’t learn or grow or change
If I just let them stay stuck and lost.

My child needs a parent who can lead with confidence.

And that’s me.

__________________

💻 The Waitlist is now open for my Parenting Course is 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/pages/the-parenting-course

I hope you’ll put your name down and reserve a spot!

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Do you want to know if your adult child is struggling with Failure to Launch? Grab the free Failure to Launch Checklist here: https://parentingfx.com/pages/ftl-checklist

🗣️I’m looking for a small focus group of parents who are willing to share their deepest concerns, their worries, and what keeps them up at night. Please email me: Shari@ParentingFX.com for the dates and times.

Click here to receive Shari's Free LAUNCH Advice Newsletter

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

Shari can be found on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Search for: @sharijonaslifefx

Walking on eggshells, afraid to set boundaries, worried about pushing your young adult too hard and constantly second-guessing yourself is EXHAUSTING. There’s got to be a better way.

It might sound cliché, but there are so many parents who are in the same boat as you, trying to do the right thing for their young adult, but nothing is working. Maybe it’s not what you’re doing, but how you’re doing it. You’ve lost your power. Your self confidence as a parent is non-existent. You live in constant fear of upsetting them and you know what? They can tell.

In this episode, I’m joined by my new friend and parenting coach Kim Muench. Back in Episode 19, she shared her personal story about her son’s struggle with alcohol addiction. If you haven’t listened yet, I encourage you to. You’ll find it incredibly inspiring.

This time, Kim and I are talking about a different topic, one that touches every parent with an adult child who is struggling. When our children aren’t happy, we aren’t either. We want to help, but we don’t know how. The answers however, are not as elusive as you think.

The problem is you’ve lost your confidence. In it’s place is fear, worry, and this gut-wrenching sense of helplessness. But today’s conversation might change all that.

So go for a walk, or find a quiet space and join Kim and I as we share our stories, reflect on how we were parented, and offer the insight and tools that can help you start parenting with confidence.

The full interview is available on YouTube. Here's the link: https://youtu.be/ZIjhVEYjLcY

If this episode resonated with your, we'd love to know! Remember to share this with someone who might need to hear it. And, hit the Follow button so you never miss an episode.

💻 The Waitlist is now open for my Parenting Course is 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/pages/the-parenting-course

I hope you’ll put your name down and reserve a spot!

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Do you want to know if your adult child is struggling with Failure to Launch? Grab the free Failure to Launch Checklist here: https://parentingfx.com/pages/ftl-checklist

🗣️I’m looking for a small focus group of parents who are willing to share their deepest concerns, their worries, and what keeps them up at night. Please email me: Shari@ParentingFX.com for the dates and times.

Click here to receive Shari's Free LAUNCH Advice Newsletter

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

Shari can be found on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Search for: @sharijonaslifefx

"I hate you! You're the worst Mom in the world!"

Did you ever say that to your parent when you were a kid? Or maybe you were on the receiving end; watching your 5-year-old, arms crossed, storming off in protest because you wouldn’t let them bring their stuffed animal to school. They’ll get over it, you thought. And they did.

Fast forward 20 years, no more plush toys, no more explosive dramatics. Just silence. You have no idea what’s going on inside their head. They're quiet now. Almost all the time. Except when they want something. You can’t help but wonder if they even like you. That look on their face when you ask them to do something, you'd think it was physically grueling work. Put your towels in the hamper – that’s all.

Do you ever wonder what your adult child thinks of you? What do they say about you behind your back? Are you still “the worst parent in the world” - but for different reasons? You can spend the next 5 years or 50 years, never knowing, or maybe you’ll find out when they tell you their therapists thinks you've traumatized their childhood. Maybe they've traumatized your parenthood, you think. Not out loud of course.

Here’s the truth, so brace yourself. You will never truly have a meaningful and authentic relationship with your adult child if you don’t know how they really feel about you, as their parent.

If you're ready… this episode is for you.

💻 The Waitlist is now open for my Parenting Course is 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/pages/the-parenting-course

I hope you’ll put your name down and reserve a spot!

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Do you want to know if your adult child is struggling with Failure to Launch? Grab the free Failure to Launch Checklist here: https://parentingfx.com/pages/ftl-checklist

🗣️I’m looking for a small focus group of parents who are willing to share their deepest concerns, their worries, and what keeps them up at night. Please email me: Shari@ParentingFX.com for the dates and times.

Click here to receive Shari's Free LAUNCH Advice Newsletter

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

Shari can be found on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Search for: @sharijonaslifefx

What does it really mean to "meet your kids where they are"—and what happens when you do? Every single child is unique. Correction. Every human being is unique. The difference is, a child has a better chance of holding onto their uniqueness, discovering their individual strengths, and walking their own path, if they have a parent who is willing to nurture that.

Many adults are too far gone. (Sorry for my brutal honesty). They've been immersed in the expectations and timelines of a society that doesn't favor diversity. Conformity has ruled their lives for so long. And unfortunately they expect their children to do the same.

But if you are a parent like my guest Anita Allen, you embrace your children and meet them where they are, with your whole heart.

In this episode, I asked my guest very personal questions, and held space for her to share her inspiring parenting journey with us. I truly appreciated listening to how Anita learned to ignore timelines, trust her instincts, and support her children’s unique paths of self-discovery, growth and independence - on their terms. Believe me, every parent can learn something from Anita.

Whether you're raising a neurodivergent child or a neurotypical one - and the differences will be made very clear in this episode, Anita’s beautiful insights will stay with you. Maybe they'll even inspire you.

If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re doing enough, doing too much or doing what's right for your child—this episode is for you. I am so grateful that I was able to get to know Anita. I hope you listen to her, right till the end, because it just gets better and better.

Finally, if you know someone who can benefit from Anita's experience and her parenting approach please share this. It could change a child's life.

___________________________________________________

How to Connect With Anita Allen

Email: Hello@anitaallen.com

Website: www.anitaallen.ca

Horse Among Zebras: anitaallen.substack.com

💻 The Waitlist is now open for my Parenting Course is 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/pages/the-parenting-course

I hope you’ll put your name down and reserve a spot!

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Do you want to know if your adult child is struggling with Failure to Launch? Grab the free Failure to Launch Checklist here: https://parentingfx.com/pages/ftl-checklist

🗣️I’m looking for a small focus group of parents who are willing to share their deepest concerns, their worries, and what keeps them up at night. Please email me: Shari@ParentingFX.com for the dates and times.

Click here to receive Shari's Free LAUNCH Advice Newsletter

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

Shari can be found on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Search for: @sharijonaslifefx

Do you find yourself wondering why your adult child hasn’t reached the milestones others seem to have hit already—college, career, independence? Maybe you’re hearing other parents talk about their thriving young adults while you’re silently thinking, “Why is mine still stuck?”

Here’s the hard truth: comparing your child to their peers, siblings or even your own expectations isn’t helping them. And while it might come from a place of love and concern, it often lands as disapproval, disappointment, and pressure.

In this powerful episode, I’ll walk you through:

• The Comparison Trap and it's silent message
• The ways it damages your child’s self-worth and motivation
• Why it’s so common to compare, especially when you’re worried they aren't “launching” into adulthood
• What to say and do instead that actually helps build confidence and growth
• How to reconnect with your adult child by seeing them on their timeline—not yours or anyone else’s.

If your adult child is still living at home, struggling to find their path—this episode will help you shift out of comparison mode and into connection and self-discovery. It’s time to start appreciating and empowering them for who they are, their unique qualities and individual strengths —because progress starts with a new perspective, having "fresh eyes" on the late bloomer that is your child.

Here are the 2 online personality surveys mentioned in the episode:

VIA Character Strengths Survey - https://www.viacharacter.org/

Clifton Strengths - https://shorturl.at/Yik0Q

Listen to Episode #30 with Kristen Clark - a Career Exploration Coach who uses Clifton Strengths along with her own unique formula to help young adults discover which career best suits their unique interests.

💻 The Waitlist is now open for my Parenting Course is 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/pages/the-parenting-course

I hope you’ll put your name down and reserve a spot!

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Do you want to know if your adult child is struggling with Failure to Launch? Grab the free Failure to Launch Checklist here: https://parentingfx.com/pages/ftl-checklist

🗣️I’m looking for a small focus group of parents who are willing to share their deepest concerns, their worries, and what keeps them up at night. Please email me: Shari@ParentingFX.com for the dates and times.

Click here to receive Shari's Free LAUNCH Advice Newsletter

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

Shari can be found on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Search for: @sharijonaslifefx

When my kid first started playing video games, it was a great way for them to unwind. It also gave me peace of mind, knowing they were staying out of trouble. At the time, it didn’t seem like a problem, they still had other activities in their life, and they only played a few hours a day. But now it’s all my adult child wants to do, it’s all they talk about, and the only friends they spend time with are the ones on the other end of their headset. Every time we bring it up, they push back, make excuses and act as if everything is okay. But they barely come out of their room. They've lost interest in everything they used to love to do. I’m really beginning to worry. I feel like I'm losing my child. And honestly, I’ve tried everything, but nothing I say or do matters. I can’t stop wondering; is this just a passing phase or is my child addicted to video games? How can I help them?

If this sounds like the voice in your head, this episode will give you the clarity and answers that you are seeking. I’m joined by my guest Elaine Uskoski, a mother who lived through the nightmare of her son’s video game addiction.

In this deeply personal and eye-opening conversation, Elaine shares what it was like to watch her adult child spiral into isolation, anxiety, and dependency. She opens up about the warning signs she didn’t recognize at first, the difficult decisions she had to make, and how she was able to overcome this challenging period in her family’s life.

Her journey through this crisis didn’t just change her son’s life—it transformed hers. Today, Elaine is a passionate advocate and coach for other parents facing the same battle, helping them navigate the complex world of video game addiction and screen overuse.

If you’ve been questioning whether your adult child’s gaming has gone too far and you are ready to get them help, this episode is your chance to hear from someone who’s been there. You don’t have to figure this out alone. Help is available.

Please share this video with someone who might need to hear it.

How to reach Elaine Uskoski

Email: elaineuskoski@gmail.com

Cell: 226-337-2070

Media - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyErmDsuBo0

Elaine's Website - https://eyespyhealth.ca/

💻 The Waitlist is now open for my Parenting Course is 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/pages/the-parenting-course

I hope you’ll put your name down and reserve a spot!

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Do you want to know if your adult child is struggling with Failure to Launch? Grab the free Failure to Launch Checklist here: https://parentingfx.com/pages/ftl-checklist

🗣️I’m looking for a small focus group of parents who are willing to share their deepest concerns, their worries, and what keeps them up at night. Please email me: Shari@ParentingFX.com for the dates and times.

Click here to receive Shari's Free LAUNCH Advice Newsletter

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

Shari can be found on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Search for: @sharijonaslifefx

You spend so much time taking care of everyone else—I’ve got to ask: Who’s taking care of YOU? If you’re feeling physically drained , emotionally spent, and beaten down from the weight of it all, this mini episode is for you.

In honour of Mental Health Awareness Month, I’m sharing No BS, research-based tidbits that will surprisingly help you reset—mentally, emotionally, and physically (and they’re my personal favourites.)

Remember - taking care of yourself doesn’t make you a selfish parent; it makes you a better one.

💻 The Waitlist is now open for my Parenting Course is 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/pages/the-parenting-course

I hope you’ll put your name down and reserve a spot!

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Do you want to know if your adult child is struggling with Failure to Launch? Grab the free Failure to Launch Checklist here: https://parentingfx.com/pages/ftl-checklist

🗣️I’m looking for a small focus group of parents who are willing to share their deepest concerns, their worries, and what keeps them up at night. Please email me: Shari@ParentingFX.com for the dates and times.

Click here to receive Shari's Free LAUNCH Advice Newsletter

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

Shari can be found on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Search for: @sharijonaslifefx