E31 - Father Figures Who Steer Rather Than Stifle Teenage Sons

What does it really take to raise confident, emotionally grounded teenage boys? In this episode, host Sonia Dong sits down with Edmund Chien, a retired finance professional, public speaker on behavioural finance, and military veteran. Edmund shares how studying attachment theory transformed his own parenting and why he parents by "steering vs. stifling". He also shares examples and tips from his lived experiences treating his teenage sons less like toddlers and more like capable young men. Edmund opens up about the value of male mentorship, the underestimated power of being physically and emotionally present, and free programs like Army Cadets and the Royal Military College that support families who may lack strong father figures. About Edmund Chien Edmund is the father of two teenage boys and actively mentors numerous teens in his community. He’s a retired finance professional where he spent two decades managing wealth for ultra-high-net-worth families. Today, he is a public speaker on behavioural finance and serves as an executive coach for client-facing financial advisors. Connect with Edmund on LinkedIn and learn more about his work on his website. Did you like this episode? Remember to review, follow and share! Receive weekly parenting tips and reflections, and don’t miss an episode by signing up to my newsletter, Next Gen Connection. Learn more about attachment theory in E4 - Raising Resilient Teens: The Role of Attachment in Mental Wellbeing