Signs are pervasive that young adults are struggling after they leave home. At the same time, parents are grappling with the practical and emotional demands of letting go and preparing them for independence. Although usually well intentioned and often out of fear, many parents are pursuing strategies that run counter to their goal of raising responsible, self-confident young adults ready to soar.

During our interactions with parents, one question surfaces virtually every time: “When and how do I let go?” Clearly, today’s parents are facing tremendous challenges in moving over to the passenger seat in their teen’s life. Because of this, and the training deficit evidenced in today’s youn--
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Many parents of teenagers describe feeling isolated, ill-equipped, and under-prepared, with kids who don’t appear be listening during this crucial time of life. They are anxious about their children leaving home and their relationships are often strained. At a time when parents want to become closer to their teens, they feel like they’re being pushed away in favor of other voices. These questions keep them awake at night:

We believe (and think most will agree) that young adults today need more than head knowledge. They need a solid, holistic leadership foundation that will support them and enable them to make key decisions in these crucial years and beyond. This includes--
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Happy summer, LifeSmart friends and family! We hope you are staying cool and finding some time for rest as you enjoy this season with your loved ones. One thing summer brings about (other than barbecues and baseball games) is teens … Continue reading →

The school year keeps teens very busy. Even with fully remote or hybrid schedules, they wake up early, take classes for the majority of the day, do their homework, participate in sports or extracurricular activities, and get as much as … Continue reading →

An annual highlight of mine is visiting an area 8th grade class that uses our What I Wish I Knew at 18 curriculum for its Life Skills class. The students submit their questions in advance, and I answer as many as I … Continue reading →

A man’s manners are a mirror in which he shows his portrait.” ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe “A professional is someone who can do his best work when he doesn’t feel like it.” ~Alistair Cooke For young adults who are just … Continue reading →

Time is flying by, isn’t it? It’s finally May, our college selection is complete, and it’s time to relax (at least a little bit). Now, our students need to focus on finishing strong while also enjoying what they can about … Continue reading →

“In a conflict, being willing to change allows you to move from a point of view to a viewing point—a higher, more expansive place from which you can see both sides.” ~Thomas Crum “Courage is what it takes to stand … Continue reading →

Written Communication: Issues and Fixes “I didn’t mean it like that!” ~ Everyone  All of us, at one time or another, have had the big written communication fail. Sometimes we’re the “messor,” and other times, we’re the “messee.” My earliest … Continue reading →

Oral Communication Essentials “Two monologues do not make a dialogue.” ~ Jeff Daly In this, the third segment of our five-part series on mastering communication, I’ll tackle what sometimes seems like a lost art—oral communication. Our growing dependence on technology … Continue reading →

Making a Winning First Impression “A stunning first impression was not the same thing as love at first sight. But surely it was an invitation to consider the matter.” -Lois McMaster Bujold One of life’s greatest adventures is what becomes of the … Continue reading →

“The art of communication is the language of leadership.” ~ James Humes With the benefit of 66 years of hindsight, I can safely say, “We’ve come a long way, baby,” to borrow a line from a Loretta Lynn song. Surely, … Continue reading →