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3 Ways to Be the Parent Your Emerging Adult Needs

Feb 03, 2025

As your children grow into emerging adults, the way they need you changes dramatically. They’re exploring their identity, making big decisions, and figuring out who they are in the world. It’s a time of transformation—for them and for you as a parent.

If you want to maintain a strong, supportive relationship with your emerging adult, it’s essential to adapt your parenting approach. Here are three ways to be the parent your emerging adult truly needs:

1. Meet Them Where They’re At

Your emerging adult is experimenting with new ideas, styles, and experiences. Whether it’s a bold new hair color, a shift in their wardrobe, or an interest in music you’ve never heard before, this exploration is a natural part of their growth.

Be there for them—available but not overbearing. Your curiosity and concern are natural, but resist the urge to ask too many questions or hover. Sometimes, our own anxiety can lead us to overstep, but holding back shows trust and respect for their process.

2. Listen More Than You Speak

One of the most powerful ways to connect with your emerging adult is simply by listening. When I made the conscious decision to stop talking and truly listen, my son began to open up and let me into his world.

Remember, the time for lecturing and constant guidance was when they were younger. Now, your role is to support, encourage, and be a safe space for them to share. Avoid intrusive questioning or offering advice unless they ask for it. Listening shows them that you respect their independence while remaining a trusted ally.

3. Stay Out of Judgment

Judgment can be a relationship killer. Don’t judge your emerging adult, their choices, or their friends. Of course, it’s okay to ask questions if you’re concerned but approach the conversation with curiosity instead of criticism.

It’s also important to recognize that emerging adults can be self-focused during this phase. They might not ask about your day or your feelings as much as you’d like. But if you cultivate a non-judgmental, supportive connection, they’ll grow out of this phase. Over time, you’ll find they begin to initiate calls, ask how you’re doing, or even invite you to lunch.

Being the parent your emerging adult needs means adapting your role to meet them in this new chapter of their lives. By meeting them where they are, listening more than you speak, and staying out of judgment, you’ll create a foundation for a lifelong connection that’s built on trust, respect, and love.

I look forward to helping you connect with yourself in order to create healthier relationships with the emerging adult in your life.

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The coaching services provided through this website are intended for educational and informational purposes. They do not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Individual results may vary, and the outcomes are dependent on various factors unique to each client. We recommend consulting with a qualified professional for specific advice tailored to your personal circumstances when it comes to medical, legal, and financial issues. By using our services, you acknowledge and agree that we are not responsible for any decisions or actions you take based on the information provided during coaching sessions.

I look forward to helping you connect with yourself in order to create healthier relationships with the emerging adult in your life.

Quick Links

 

Home
About Me
Blog
Terms
Privacy
Contact

Contact Info

 

 

 

The coaching services provided through this website are intended for educational and informational purposes. They do not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Individual results may vary, and the outcomes are dependent on various factors unique to each client. We recommend consulting with a qualified professional for specific advice tailored to your personal circumstances when it comes to medical, legal, and financial issues. By using our services, you acknowledge and agree that we are not responsible for any decisions or actions you take based on the information provided during coaching sessions.