LAUNCH: Parenting Tips for Raising Adult Children & Building Better Relationships

Shari Jonas - Parenting Consultant, Educator and Author
  • 5.0 (7)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

If you’re a parent of a young adult, are these questions keeping you up at night;  How can I become the best parent to my kids? How can I improve my communication with them? How can we connect better?  How can I help them to become more confident, resilient and independent? What can I do to motivate them? Why don't they respect me? Why don't they want to hang out with me?  If you're searching for these answers, this podcast is for you. I'm Shari Jonas and this is LAUNCH. Where I offer honest, no BS parenting tips that will help you to raise your adult child with confidence (regardless of whether they're living with you or on their own) and become the best parent you can be.  I address the most relevant, challenging and deeply personal issues that parents are facing with their young adults. Each episode offers real-life stories, research-based strategies, and no BS advice that will help you to become the parent that your adult child ALWAYS turns to, someone they love to spend time and, someone who will guide them to becoming confident, resilient, independent and capable of thriving in the world.   Join me each week as I tell it like it is. No sugar coating. Real talk. Let's face it,  parenting can be hard work, especially because we're figuring it out every day. We're learning as we go, and we can always be better. I hope to inspire you, give you the confidence you need to connect with them, and to educate you when you need a little guidance. Sometimes I have amazing guests, other times, it's just me; a Mom of 2 grown kids, who practically raised my children alone. As an educator, author and parenting consultant, I know what it takes to build incredible relationships, while guiding them through life's challenges, and I want to share it all with you.  If you're ready to help your young adult overcome obstacles, while becoming the best parent you can be, listen in to LAUNCH: Parenting Tips for Raising Adult Children & Becoming Better Parents Remember to Subscribe, so you never miss an episode.  You can find me on social media if you want to see snippets of what I believe in and practice. Just look for @sharijonaslifefx on Instagram, TikTok and Youtube.  Of course you can email me for questions, consultations or just to say hi! Shari@ParentingFX.com

  1. 1D AGO

    #67: The Art of Collaboration and Connection With Your Adult Child | Words of Wisdom From a Young Adult

    Today I’m joined by Sonia Sutha, the founder of Cloud9Go.com, whose work centers on helping young people gain real world experience, clarity, and confidence as they step into adulthood. Sonia has created innovative opportunities that connect education with practical life and career skills, such as public speaking, execution, emotional intelligence, leadership and community, giving young teens the chance to explore their interests in meaningful, hands on ways.  This conversation will leave you in awe.  Sonia shares her perspective on so many important parent and young adult topics. We talk about communication,  connection, collaboration, boundaries, consequences…and all from the viewpoint of a young adult, who truly understands that life is about growing. I urge you to share this episode with your young adult. And anyone else you think can benefit. Remember to hot the follow or subscribe button so you never miss an episode.  Side note: We touch on Ho'oponopono, the ancient Hawaiian practice of reconciliation and forgiveness, meaning "to make right" or "to set in balance". The modern, simplified mantra consists of four phrases aimed at taking responsibility for one's inner state to heal, clear negative emotions, and restore balance: "I'm sorry, Please forgive me, Thank you, I love you" Please reach out to Sonia if you know a teen who can benefit from Sonia’s work.  How to Connect with Sonia Founder of Cloud9Go.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/soniakatara/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVqO3ESJ9fo&t=1s 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...

    55 min

  2. FEB 20

    #66: Helicopter Parenting and Failure to Launch | Is There a Connection?

    If your adult child is stuck, unmotivated, anxious, avoiding responsibility, and still heavily dependent on you, this episode asks a question most parents are afraid to consider: Can overprotective parenting impact a young adult’s ability to launch confidently into adulthood? In this conversation, we unpack what helicopter parenting is and if there's any correlation between that style of parenting and a young adults inability to move forward. Or is there more to it? This episode is not about blame.  It’s about awareness.  And it’s about change. Because no matter how things got here, you still have influence. And that influence means you can still help your adult child.  This episode provides you with hope and suggestions. It's never to late to learn how to be the parent your adult child needs, so they can thrive in the world.  Remember to subscribe, and please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. 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...

    8 min

  3. FEB 14

    #65: How to Help Your Adult Child Find Joy Through Real Connection

    Today I’m joined by Laura Hope Whitaker, CEO of Extra Special People, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating transformative experiences for people with disabilities and their families. Laura is a speaker, advocate, and the author of her brand new book, The Joy Exchange, Finding Life's Greatest Lessons in Those You Least Expect. This book is so beautifully written and filled with stories that will touch your heart.  Truly a must-read. Not just for you, but for your adult child too. Laura is known for her joyful approach to leadership and her ability to shift perspectives around inclusion, community, and the power of human connection. Throughout her book, Laura shows how the very individuals our culture often overlooks have the most to teach us about love, leadership, and community. In this episode, we talk about the surprising meaning behind joy,  how we can all experience it, what parents can do to reconnect with their adult children, and what they can do to feel a sense of belonging and connection again, something these young adults desperately need. I really enjoyed speaking with Laura and I'm sure this conversation will resonate with you. Remember to subscribe so you never miss and episode. And please to share it with someone who needs a little joy.  About My Guest: Laura Hope Whitaker https://www.laurahopewhitaker.com/ The Joy Exchange is available at the link below or on Amazon https://www.laurahopewhitaker.com/thejoyexchange 100% of the books proceeds go to ESP  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...

    49 min

  4. FEB 7

    #64: How to Love Living with Your Adult Child | A Conversation with Julie Lythcott-Haims

    In 2015, I picked up a book, read the back cover and instantly it resonated with me. As a mom raising kids of my own, I knew how easy it was to slide into the role of the overprotective mama bear, wanting to shield my babies from any discomfort. But I also knew that doing that would come at a cost. Wanting to raise resilient, confident, independent adults who could function in the world on their own was always my intention but it wasn't going to be easy. I had to be strong. And in fact for many of the years, I was raising my children on my own.  When I read, How to Raise an Adult, it reinforced a concern that I was already having about the impact helicopter parenting was having on their children, and their young adults. I knew in my gut this parenting style was going to create problems down the line. In all fairness to parents who adopted this approach, the cultural message was made very clear; a good parent did everything for their child. But where did that leave kids, when their parents weren't around? Who was fighting their battles, rescuing them from school yard bullies, solving their problems? It made me uncomfortable to think that if I did that for my kids, I was leaving them without armour, and that was not what I wanted for them.   The book went on to become a New York Times bestseller, and the author did a Ted Talk called Raising Successful Kids Without Overparenting that has now been viewed over 8.2 million times. You can only imagine how deeply meaningful this episode is for me and how honored I am to have Julie Lythcott-Haims as my guest on LAUNCH .  In addition to "How to Raise an Adult", Julie is also the author of "Your Turn: How to Be an Adult" and "Real American", a critically acclaimed, award-winning memoir. Julie's work spans writing, speaking, teaching, mentoring, and activism.  This conversation felt less like an interview and more like a heartfelt discussion between two people who care deeply about helping parents who are living with their young adults.  We talked about what's happening in the home, the challenges parents are facing, the issues that young adults are dealing with, and what it actually takes for a family of adults to truly enjoy living together.   Sometimes the hardest part about having virtual interviews is that I never get to give my guests a hug after we've talked about suc 💻 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...

    1h 4m

  5. JAN 31

    #63: Why Your Adult Child Stays Stuck | The Single Most Important Factor

    If your adult child is uninterested in trying anything, won't apply for jobs, avoids challenges, and is perfectly content having you  do everything for them, this episode explains why and what you can do to help. And is it ever easy! Discover the one psychological factor that determines whether young adults move forward or stay stuck, plus the specific things parents need to STOP doing and START doing to help their adults build confidence. It’s short but impactful!  Thank you for listening.  Please remember to hit the subscribe.  💻 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...

    8 min

  6. JAN 24

    #62: Parenting Adult Children with Addiction and Mental Health Issues | Advice from a Therapist in Recovery

    Today I’m joined by Susan Raphael, an addiction and mental health clinician in private practice for over 20 years. Susan works closely with individuals, parents, and families navigating substance abuse, mental health challenges, and recovery.  In this conversation, Susan shares her own personal story of addiction and recovery, bringing a powerful and honest perspective to the work she does with families every day.  This episode is for any parent living with an adult child who is struggling with addiction and mental health issues, and feeling afraid, overwhelmed, and unsure how to talk about moving forward. We discuss the importance of connection, self-care, the levers of influence (love that) and where responsibility truly belongs when it comes to managing addiction and mental health.  You can't have a conversation about parenting adult children, struggling and still living at home, without talking about boundaries, why they matter, and how setting clear limits is the only way to meaningful change, not just for your adult child, but for the entire family.  The 25 Boundary Setting Statements that I've created are here: https://parentingfx.com/boundaries Remember to hit the follow button so you never miss an episode, please share this episode with another parent who needs to hear it.  As always, thank you for listening. About my guest Susan Raphael, ICADC, CACCF, : Addiction and mental health clinician, founder and principal of Sustainable Recovery Counseling Services in Toronto.  Susan is the author of What’s Wrong with My Teen? Finding Answers to Addiction and Family Crisis is available everywhere books are sold www.whatswrongwithmyteen.com   Connect with Susan: @sustainable__recovery | www.sustainablerecovery.ca Website: www.sustainablerecovery.ca 💻 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...

    1h 10m

  7. JAN 17

    #61: Parenting Adult Children Who Are Struggling to Function: The Power of Collaboration, Modelling and Expectations

    Parenting an adult child who is struggling is an emotional rollercoaster.  In your wildest dreams you never thought raising a young adult would be this challenging. In your mind, you thought it would be so different. Yet here you are. And it's not just your adult child you want to help,  but your relationship, how you communicate, how you connect and how work together to grow.   With over 20 years of experience in the field of psychology including a PhD in Clinical Psychology, my guest today is Dr. Anna Levy-Warren. Anna is the founder and CEO of Organizational Tutors, a nationwide network of experts who help students and adults overcome executive functioning challenges and diverse learning profiles. She's the co-founder of Dwellness, which provides in-home and in person therapy and she also leads STEEL Advising, where she provides executive functioning and leadership training to executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals. In her New York City-based private practice, Anna specializes in working with parents, couples, and families navigating high-conflict situations, ADHD, learning disabilities and emotional dysregulation. But here's what makes today's conversation so powerful: Anna isn't just speaking as an expert; she's also a parent who has walked this path herself. She knows firsthand the frustration, the guilt, and oftentimes, the helplessness that comes with having a strong-willed child with their own executive functioning challenges.  In today's episode,  Anna shares concrete, actionable steps that will help you strengthen your relationship with your young adult and help them move forward.  To contact Dr. Anna Levy-Warren: https://www.annalevywarrenphd.com/ Please remember to hit the follow button so you never miss an episode and share this with someone who needs to hear it.  As always, thank you for listening! Sidenote - did you count how many times I said “love it”? I did. 12x, maybe less.  💻 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...

    54 min

  8. JAN 10

    #60: Truth Bombs, Tough Love and Tips for Parents of Struggling Adult Children

    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...

    35 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

If you’re a parent of a young adult, are these questions keeping you up at night;  How can I become the best parent to my kids? How can I improve my communication with them? How can we connect better?  How can I help them to become more confident, resilient and independent? What can I do to motivate them? Why don't they respect me? Why don't they want to hang out with me?  If you're searching for these answers, this podcast is for you. I'm Shari Jonas and this is LAUNCH. Where I offer honest, no BS parenting tips that will help you to raise your adult child with confidence (regardless of whether they're living with you or on their own) and become the best parent you can be.  I address the most relevant, challenging and deeply personal issues that parents are facing with their young adults. Each episode offers real-life stories, research-based strategies, and no BS advice that will help you to become the parent that your adult child ALWAYS turns to, someone they love to spend time and, someone who will guide them to becoming confident, resilient, independent and capable of thriving in the world.   Join me each week as I tell it like it is. No sugar coating. Real talk. Let's face it,  parenting can be hard work, especially because we're figuring it out every day. We're learning as we go, and we can always be better. I hope to inspire you, give you the confidence you need to connect with them, and to educate you when you need a little guidance. Sometimes I have amazing guests, other times, it's just me; a Mom of 2 grown kids, who practically raised my children alone. As an educator, author and parenting consultant, I know what it takes to build incredible relationships, while guiding them through life's challenges, and I want to share it all with you.  If you're ready to help your young adult overcome obstacles, while becoming the best parent you can be, listen in to LAUNCH: Parenting Tips for Raising Adult Children & Becoming Better Parents Remember to Subscribe, so you never miss an episode.  You can find me on social media if you want to see snippets of what I believe in and practice. Just look for @sharijonaslifefx on Instagram, TikTok and Youtube.  Of course you can email me for questions, consultations or just to say hi! Shari@ParentingFX.com

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