If you’re a Gen X parent of a 20-something, you were likely raised in a world where “consequences” meant control. Take the car away. Ground them. Cut off privileges.

But when your child becomes an emerging adult, that old playbook starts falling apart.

You may find yourself asking things like:
“Wha...

Let’s say your 24-year-old is working hard, just not in the way you imagined.

They’re not at a traditional 9 to 5.
They’re not in a rush to leave home.
And you’re wondering… Is this okay? Or am I enabling them?

I recently got an email from a mom facing this exact situation.
Her son graduated in 2024....

It’s easy to rattle off all the ways we think we’re failing as parents.

We worry we’re too soft, too reactive, too controlling, too distant.
We replay past conversations and wish we had said it differently.
We focus on what isn’t working and forget to notice what is.

But here’s what I want you to as...

When parents of emerging adults come to me, they’re usually exhausted. They’ve tried everything: threats, lectures, rewards, and reminders, and nothing seems to stick.

They say things like:

“I’ve told her to get a job, but she won’t.”
“He says he’ll go to therapy, but then he doesn’t.”
“I just want ...

A parent recently reached out with a question that I hear more often than you might think:

“My daughters are 20 and 23. Neither has ever dated.
They’re kind, capable, independent, and they both live at home while working part-time and attending or searching for school and job opportunities.
They sa...

Here’s something hard, but important:
If your emerging adult knows you won’t follow through on what you say, they’ll stop taking you seriously.

Parents tell me, “I’ve told them if they don’t help out, they’re out of the house.”
But here’s what I know: many of your kids don’t believe you.
They’ve told ...