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The moment arrives for every parent – watching your child transform from dependent teenager to independent adult. In this heartfelt conversation, we're joined by a special guest who offers a unique perspective on this pivotal transition from the young adult side of the equation.

Cameron, a college student preparing for graduation and engaged to be married, shares candid insights about what truly helped him navigate the journey to independence. Rather than focusing on the moment of separation, he emphasizes how his successful transition resulted from years of gradual preparation – parents who allowed increasing autonomy while maintaining a reliable safety net of support.

The conversation explores that delicate balance every parent struggles to find: providing enough freedom for growth while ensuring your child knows you're available when truly needed. As Cameron explains, knowing he was unconditionally supported gave him confidence to solve problems independently, navigate uncomfortable situations, and discover his authentic self away from home.

For parents approaching this milestone, our discussion offers practical guidance on preparing teenagers for independence long before move-in day. We address the importance of transferring responsibility for everyday tasks, communicating expectations clearly, and acknowledging the emotional challenges parents face when their caretaking role fundamentally changes.

Perhaps most reassuringly, we discuss how the parent-child relationship doesn't end but evolves into something potentially more rewarding – an adult friendship built on mutual respect. As one parent reflects, "To have an adult relationship with your kid is probably the greatest thing I didn't expect to happen."

Whether you're years away from this transition or facing it imminently, this episode provides valuable perspective for nurturing independence while maintaining meaningful connection. Join us to discover how letting go might just be your greatest parenting achievement.

Please be sure to checkout our website for previous episodes, our psych-approved resource page, and connect with us on social media! All this and more at www.thelylaspodcast.com

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"I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen" author, influencer (@Naptime Kitchen), and homemaker, Kate Strickler brings her refreshing honesty and practical wisdom to this week's conversation by sharing her reflective list of "other lies I think will make me happy" paired with creative approaches to pivoting our mindset.

What distinguishes Kate's approach is her exceptional self-awareness combined with a problem-solver's mindset. Rather than offering platitudes about accepting ourselves, she delivers tangible strategies for shifting both perspective and daily habits. The concept of creating "a life you love" through what Kate calls the "inner scorecard versus outer scorecard" approach. By focusing on what genuinely matters to you—not what society dictates—she argues we can find contentment amidst constant pressure to want more.

Kate's discussion of family rhythms provides a masterclass in balanced parenting—establishing consistent routines while allowing flexibility. From technology boundaries to managing evolving schedules as children grow, she demonstrates how thoughtful structure creates freedom rather than restriction. Her candid admission that she'll occasionally break her own rules when everyone needs it showcases her refreshingly realistic approach to family life.

Pre-order Kate's book, releasing August 26th to discover all ten "I wish" statements and their transformative solutions. You'll likely find yourself nodding in recognition that someone has finally articulated the thoughts you've been having all along—and better yet, provided a path forward.

Please be sure to checkout our website for previous episodes, our psych-approved resource page, and connect with us on social media! All this and more at www.thelylaspodcast.com

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What would you tell your younger self? That question sparked a fascinating exploration of life lessons, hard-won wisdom, and the unexpected gifts that come with age and experience.

The magical thing about turning 40 isn't just the physical changes – it's the powerful ability to look back across two decades of adulthood and recognize how much knowledge you've gained. Like having coffee with your 20-year-old self, this reflective vantage point reveals truths that could have changed everything.

Financial literacy tops the list of crucial knowledge many wish they'd gained earlier. Understanding how to make your money work for you, managing student debt, and avoiding the trap of spending every dollar you earn creates freedom that compounds over time. Equally important is developing a value-driven plan for life – not just career goals, but clarity about what truly matters to you. When your choices align with your core values, fulfillment follows naturally.

Perhaps the most liberating realization? Nobody is paying as much attention to your choices as you think they are. The freedom to fail, change direction, and reimagine your path without fear of judgment opens worlds of possibility. Your education and experience equip you with transferable skills that can flourish in countless contexts – you're not locked into any single trajectory.

Creating boundaries, developing a meditation practice, freeing yourself from body image obsessions, and simply taking the trip when your gut tells you to – these lessons emerge repeatedly as game-changers. The most painful regrets center not on what we did, but what we didn't do when we felt that internal pull.

Whether you're approaching 40, looking back from beyond it, or still navigating your 20s, this conversation offers perspective that might just change how you view the journey ahead. What would you tell your younger self over coffee? And perhaps more importantly – what might your future self wish you understood right now?

Please be sure to checkout our website for previous episodes, our psych-approved resource page, and connect with us on social media! All this and more at www.thelylaspodcast.com