Your Emerging Adult’s Struggles Are Not a Reflection of Your Parenting

Here’s a hard truth that every parent of an emerging adult needs to hear:

Just because your child is struggling does NOT mean you are failing as a parent.

I talk to parents every day who feel:

• Guilty—wondering if they did something wrong.
• Frustrated—exhausted from arguments and unmet expectations.
• Ashamed—because their adult child isn’t thriving while their peers seem to be moving forward.

I see the pain behind your words when you tell me:

"Why can’t they just figure it out?"
"Did I make it too easy for them?"
"Should I have pushed them harder?"
"Where did I go wrong?"

Here’s what I need you to know:

Your parenting didn’t cause this.

Yes, your child’s struggles may feel personal. But the reality is, emerging adulthood is more complicated than ever before—and so many external factors are at play.

Why Are So Many Emerging Adults Stuck?

If your child is struggling to launch, you’re not alone. Young adults today are facing unique challenges that weren’t as prominent a generation ago, including:

Mental Health Struggles – Anxiety, depression, and ADHD are at an all-time high, making it harder for young adults to take action.

Shifting Career Paths – Traditional job markets have changed, leaving many emerging adults unsure of their next step.

Instant Gratification Culture – Video games, social media, and online entertainment provide a sense of accomplishment without real-world progress.

Delayed Maturity – Brain development research shows that young men, in particular, take longer to develop executive functioning skills, which are crucial for independence.

All of these factors combined can lead to what feels like paralysis—where your child seems stuck in place, unable to move forward.

And as a parent, watching this happen is gut-wrenching.

If You’re Feeling Stuck, You’re Not Alone

So many parents find themselves trapped in a cycle of:

❌ Arguments that go nowhere and leave everyone exhausted.
❌ Financial support that doesn’t lead to progress.
❌ Walking on eggshells, afraid that one wrong word will push their child further away.

You didn’t cause this. But how you respond to it now can make all the difference.

The Parenting Shift That Changes Everything

Parenting an emerging adult isn’t about fixing their problems—it’s about shifting how you show up in their life so they can start solving their own.

• Instead of nagging them to apply for jobs → Set clear expectations around financial support.
• Instead of stressing over their every move → Focus on your own boundaries and well-being.
• Instead of walking on eggshells → Build communication skills that foster real conversations.

This shift isn’t easy, but it is possible. And when you do it right, you’ll find that:

✔️ Your child takes more responsibility for their life.
✔️ You stop feeling like their unpaid therapist, financial manager, and life coach.
✔️ Your relationship becomes healthier and more peaceful.

Let Me Show You How

I teach parents these skills every day through private coaching, support group calls, and a monthly class that helps you shift from stress to a strategy that actually works.

Register for Weekly Parent Support Calls.

Your emerging adult’s journey is theirs—but how you respond to it is yours. Let’s make that response one that fosters growth, confidence, and real progress.

I believe in you, and I know you can do this.