103: Stop Parenting Your Adult Kids Like They're Still 12 — A Father-Daughter Conversation

Send us Fan MailI never thought I'd be doing a podcast episode with my own daughter — but here we are, and I'm so glad we finally did it. In this episode, I sit down with my daughter Megan, a doctor of education, a mother, and one of the strongest women I know, to have the conversation that every parent of an adult child needs to hear. We get vulnerable about what communication has looked like between us over the years — what worked, what didn't, and how we built the kind of relationship where she can call me and say "just listen, don't fix it" and I actually do.What surprised me most in this conversation was hearing it from her side. As a dad, I spent years wrestling with the fear of losing connection — the unanswered texts, the seasons of less communication, the letting go that nobody prepares you for. Megan helped me understand that honoring your adult child's season of life isn't giving up on the relationship. It's actually what builds it.We talk about the difference between a parent's legacy and a child's legacy, why your feelings about their silence are yours to manage, the brain development science that should change how you see your 20-something, and why leading with encouragement is the only way to actually earn their ear.If you're a dad who feels like you're losing ground with your son or daughter, this episode is for you. The relationship isn't over — it's just changing. The goal isn't to parent them the way you used to. It's to become the kind of person they want to call. Listen more. Ask more questions. Let them drive their own bus. And whatever you do, don't put your phone on silent at night.Chapters:00:00 – Welcome: A Father-Daughter Conversation About the Empty Nest02:54 – Honoring Your Child's Season and Setting Communication Norms05:48 – The "What If" Game: Managing Parental Fear and Learning to Let Go08:42 – Raising Strong Kids Means Trusting Who They've Become11:37 – Your Legacy Is Not Their Legacy: Releasing Control and Expectation14:31 – Creating a Safe Space: From Fixer to Listener17:25 – Brain Development, Intentionality, and Meeting Them Where They Are20:19 – Start With the End in Mind: What's Your Real Goal With Your Child?23:13 – Presence, Positive Reinforcement, and the 6-to-1 Rule26:07 – Earning Their Ear and Closing Encouragement for Empty Nest ParentsWelcome to Next Third Best Third! Join us for the inaugural episode of the Next Third Best Third podcast! Host David Fenwick, founder, author, and life coach, introduces the mission to inspire men over 40 to thrive in the next stage of life. Discover how to conquer life's challenges across physical, mental, relational, spiritual, and emotional dimensions. In this episode, David shares insights on:- Physical Health: Strategies for maintaining fitness and vitality as you age.- Mental Resilience: Techniques to stay mentally sharp and manage stress.- Relational Growth: Building and nurturing meaningful relationships.- Spiritual Fulfillment: Finding purpose and deeper spiritual connections.- Emotional Well-being: Managing emotions and fostering a positive outlook.Don't miss out on this journey towards making the next third of your life the best third!Website: (https://www.nextthirdbestthird.com/)