The journey from adolescence to adulthood has changed — and too many young people are stepping into the real world unprepared.
In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino talks with Rob Finlay — entrepreneur, father of four, and author of Hey Dad: Everything You Should Have Learned About Life and Didn’t — about what it really takes to raise resilient, independent young adults today.
Finlay shares powerful lessons from his own parenting experience, revealing the critical life skills kids aren’t being taught — from managing money and handling emergencies to building healthy relationships and navigating an unpredictable job market.
The discussion tackles the tough realities facing today’s youth — the influence of social media, the myth of the “magic carpet ride” childhood, and why real-world challenges are essential for growth.
Key Takeaways:
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Balance discipline and independence to build resilience in kids.
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Talk openly about emotional health and consent in relationships.
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Teach smart device use and how social media impacts social skills.
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Avoid over-sheltering; let kids face real-world challenges.
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Understand hormonal changes to better support teens’ growth.
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Encourage conversations with adults to boost confidence and networking skills.
ROB FINLAY
Entrepreneur
Businessman, Real estate industry
Bestselling author
Father of 4
“…when I was growing up, I had to do chores, I had to do things, I had to mow the yard, I had to work on things that. When my dad was working on the car, I was helping with the car. And my parents were very good about getting me involved in being with adults.
I think as I was an adult and I started my time with my kids, I spent more time sort of taking care of them than necessarily teaching them the things that they need to know.”