The leap from adolescence to adulthood is tricky — and too often, young people find themselves unprepared for the real world. In this episode of theWhere Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino welcomes Rob Finlay — entrepreneur, author of Hey Dad: Everything You Should Have Learned About Life and Didn’t, and father of four — to discuss what it really takes to raise resilient, capable young adults today.

Finlay pulls back the curtain on his own parenting journey, sharing lessons learned, missteps made, and the pivotal skills kids aren't being taught — from handling emergencies and managing finances to navigating relationships and finding their footing in an uncertain job market.

With a mix of personal anecdotes, sharp insights, and a refreshing dose of humor, he offers parents a roadmap to help their children build confidence, independence, and emotional strength.

The discussion tackles the new challenges facing today’s youth — from the impact of social media to the false promise of a ‘magic carpet ride’ childhood — and explore why it's more important than ever to let kids face real-world struggles before they leave home. Thought-provoking, practical, and inspiring, this episode will leave you rethinking how to best prepare your children for the life ahead.

Takeaways:

• Navigating the complexities of adolescence requires parents to balance discipline with independence, fostering resilience in their children.
• Communication about emotional health and consent in relationships is crucial for the mental well-being of today's youth.
• With the pervasive influence of social media, teaching kids about device usage and its impact on their social interactions is essential.
• Parents often shelter their children too much, which can hinder their ability to face real-world challenges and learn from mistakes.
• Understanding hormonal changes during adolescence can help parents provide better support for their children's physical and emotional health.
• Encouraging kids to engage in conversations with adults can boost their confidence and prepare them for future networking opportunities.

Links referenced in this episode:

• whereparentstalk.com

This podcast is for parents, guardians, teachers and caregivers to learn proven strategies and trusted tips on raising kids, teens and young adults based on science, evidenced and lived experience.

You’ll learn the latest on topics like managing bullying, consent, fostering healthy relationships, and the interconnectedness of mental, emotional and physical health.