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

Today's episode is a little different than what you're used to. 
It's for those of you who have been hurt by a parent, and carry the quiet, painful ache of knowing that an apology is probably never coming and how you can move forward, without repeating the toxic cycle with your own children.
My guest Paula Yost calls this the Apology Ache. That deep, lingering hurt from a parent who has wounded you, and you have to accept that they are never going to acknowledge it. In fact often times, our only salvation is estrangement. Which we never want to happen with our own children. But we talk about it anyway.
Paula is a clinical mental health counsellor, a lawyer, and the author of the book Tumbleweeds. This conversation is about her deeply personal and painful experiences with a mother whom she struggled with practically her whole life and how she came to terms with that relationship through the practice of Radical Acceptance which she explains so beautifully.
And perhaps most importantly, we talk about breaking the generational cycle. Because so many people who were hurt by a parent carry a deep fear: am I going to do this to my own kids or can I break this toxic pattern. 
If you were hurt by a parent, the fear of repeating that with your own children is real and that's something I think every parent needs to hear because I don’t think any of us had a perfect childhood. 
So even though this episode is a bit different, I think the message is important and I hope you spend the time today to listen. 
Remember to hit the follow button so you never miss and episode, and please send this to a friend or family member who needs to hear it.
As always, thank you for listening.
P.S If you happen to read these show notes, I'm doing a FREE Masterclass on Thursday April 16th at 8 pm EST on the Secrets of a Successful Living Together Agreement - and Why Most Fail. 
Save your spot here; ParentingFX.com/LTA-Masterclass
About my Guest: Paula Yost is a licensed clinical mental health counselor, an attorney and the author of Tumbleweeds, available on Amazon.com. Paula writes and speaks about what happens when families are forced to navigate broken systems and choose not to stay silent.
Contact info available at https://paulayost.com/
💻 Shari's Parenting Course is now OPEN!  “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
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: [email protected]
🎙️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! CLICK HERE...

If your adult child is living at home and refuses to take on any responsibilities, acting more like a hotel guest than a member of the household and you feel like you've tried everything, this episode is for you.
After writing and creating an 18-page Living Together Guide and Agreement for parents of young adults who weren't participating or contributing to basic household responsibilities or anything in their life, I quickly discovered that most parents struggled to enforce it. The approach required finesse. The groundwork had to be laid first. The relationship needed work.
But giving up was not an option because having responsibilities, structure, and routine isn't just important for you, your home or your adult. It's vital to their self-confidence.
This short episode explains why. And in the end, I invite you to join me to take this conversation even further.
Here's the link to save your spot: https://parentingfx.com/lta-masterclass
Remember to hit the subscribe button, and please send this episode to someone who needs to hear it.
Thanks for listening!
💻 Shari's Parenting Course is now OPEN!  “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
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: [email protected]
🎙️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! CLICK HERE...

For any parent whose ever wondered whether their adult child has a video gaming addiction, and if so how they can help, this episode is for you. 

What may have started off as just a harmless activity turns into an all-consuming, socially withdrawn activity, where showering and eating are secondary to gaming and day/night reversal have become a way of life. Their bedrooms are their fortress, and their parents are not welcome. 

In this candid episode, 30-year-old Jake Uskoski shares his deeply personal experience with his addiction, his relapses and the remarkable recovery from this incredibly challenging addiction. 

I'm grateful to have had this conversation with Jake, who pulls back the curtain on what the emotional life of a video gaming addict looks like and how much support is needed if recovery is ever going to happen.  

After this episode, you'll know for sure whether or not your young adult needs help, the extent of what they're going through, and I'm sure you will never look at their little video gaming activity the same, ever again.  

I've been suggesting this episode to many young adults because I know how helpful it will be. Seeing themselves in Jake is the first step.  This is not easy to admit, but when you listen to Jake talk about his experiences, you'll really understand how important it is to share it. 
A special thank you to Jake Uskoski and a shout out to his mother, Elaine Uskoski who has authored 2 books on the subject (both available on Amazon):
Cyber Sober: A Caregiver’s Guide to Video Gaming Addiction 
Seeing Through the Cracks
Please remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode and definitely share this one with someone who needs to hear it... probably your adult child.
Thank you for listening!
💻 Shari's Parenting Course is now OPEN!  “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
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: [email protected]
🎙️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! CLICK HERE...

Today’s episode is one of the most important conversations I’ve had on this podcast because it's touches every single parent, whether your adult child is struggling or not.  We all have to come to face to face with this hard truth.
That's why this is called the dirtiest word in parenting. There's a few contenders which my lovely guest and I discuss, but this one, this one is big. 
My guest today is Catherine Hickem, and before I tell you anything else about her credentials, she is the real deal and she's original - which for me speaks volumes - and there is not one ounce of fluff in what she says. You'll discover quickly that Catherine knows a lot about parenting adult children. 
As for her qualifications, Catherine is a licensed clinical social worker, seasoned psychotherapist, executive coach, and the founder of Parenting Adult Children Today. For more than 40 years, Catherine has helped families navigate complex relationships with clarity and purpose.  Catherine also has a new book coming out in 2026 called It’s Never Too Late to Be a Great Parent.
This is an incredible conversation with powerful perspectives and no nonsense advice that will change the way you relate to your adult child forever.
Please remember to share this episode with another parent - any parent - and of course hit the subscribe button so you never miss an episode.
I am grateful that you listen to LAUNCH and would love to hear from you. 
💻 Shari's Parenting Course is now OPEN!  “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
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: [email protected]
🎙️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! CLICK HERE...

Many parents of adult children feel powerless and think they've tried everything.
Yet somehow, nothing has worked. The years have gone by and their adult child is still in the same place; at home, unmotivated, lacking confidence, and living without purpose, while everyone around them seems to be moving forward.
In today’s short episode, I want to share something more personal with you. I’m going to explain why I am dedicating my time to guiding parents of young adults who are struggling and what I have created to help change that.
In this episode, I’ll share my perspective on raising children and what is really needed from parents. All parents.
You are far more capable of influencing change than you may believe right now.
Growth can happen. You may not see it right away, but if you do the work, you will watch your adult child blossom.🌱
Please share this episode with another parent, remember to hit the subscribe button, and as always Thank you for listening.
Remember to email me at: [email protected] for a personal video.
💻 Shari's Parenting Course is now OPEN!  “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
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: [email protected]
🎙️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! CLICK HERE...