Hi Reader,

One of the moms from last week’s young adult group said something that I hadn't thought about before.

She said,

"I’m just glad you’re taking something off my plate. I know they will listen to you."

If you have a teenager, you probably understand exactly what she meant.

Parents carry a lot.

You’re helping with school.
You’re managing schedules.
You’re worrying about their mental health.
You’re trying to help them make good decisions about their future.

And sometimes you are also trying to teach them life skills like:

• how to manage anxiety
• how to make decisions
• how to understand themselves
• how to think about their future

That’s a lot to hold.

---

The Parenting Reality

There’s another truth many parents quietly experience.

Sometimes teens simply hear things differently from someone outside the family.

Not because parents aren’t wise.
Not because they haven’t said the same thing.

But because teens are in the stage of life where they are learning to separate and think for themselves.

Sometimes a neutral voice helps.

---

What Happened After One Session

The mom who spoke with me last week posted something the next day about her kids’ experience after just one session.

She shared that they were already feeling inspired and looking forward to their futures.

That’s one of my favorite things to watch happen.

Because many teens today feel:

• unsure about their direction
• overwhelmed by choices
• worried about making the wrong decision
• anxious about the future

But when they start learning about who they are, things begin to shift.

---

What We Work On Together

When I work with teens and young adults, we focus on two key areas:

1️⃣ Self-awareness

Using tools like the YouMap® assessment, we help them understand:

• their strengths
• their values
• their skills
• the environments where they do their best

This kind of insight gives them a starting point for decisions.

---

2️⃣ Anxiety that blocks action

Even when teens have potential, anxiety can get in the way of moving forward.

We work on:

• managing anxious thoughts
• decision confidence
• emotional regulation
• taking the next best step

---

Why This Matters

Research shows that self-awareness at age 16 is a stronger predictor of future success than GPA or standardized test scores.

That’s why this work matters so much.

It helps teens move from:

"I don’t know what I’m doing."

to

"I understand myself, and I know where to start."

---

And sometimes, it’s okay if that conversation doesn’t happen with you.

Sometimes the most helpful thing a parent can do is exactly what that mom said:

"Take one thing off my plate."

If you have a teen or young adult who feels stuck, anxious, or unsure about their future, I help young people build self-awareness and emotional strength so they can move forward with confidence.

You can learn more about working with me here →

​Work With Me​

Or simply reply to this email if you'd like to talk about whether it might be a good fit.

— Cynthia

---

Something New I'm Starting

This month I'm launching something I'm really excited about.

A small in-person group for young adults called:

Becoming Capable Humans

This group focuses on the skills that actually help young people succeed in adulthood:

• self-awareness
• emotional regulation
• decision-making
• mental health literacy
• understanding strengths and interests
• navigating work and life environments

🗓 2nd & 4th Wednesdays​
⏰ 7:00–8:00 PM​
📍 Topeka, Kansas

Once you register, you'll receive the location details.

At the end of the program, participants will receive a certificate recognizing these life readiness skills — something they can include on resumes or applications.

These are exactly the skills employers and colleges wish more young people had.

[If you live in Topeka, reply to this email if you would like the registration.]

---

Coming Up This Month

Later this month, I'll also be introducing you to Jebbee, an app designed to help young people explore careers and environments that fit them.

Because tools + self-awareness together make decision-making much easier.

P.S. If you have a young adult (or are one!) trying to figure out what comes next after high school or college, self-awareness is the best place to start.

Join me for a live Zoom conversation with Stephanie Hickman-Boyse, the CEO and co-founder of Jebbee. Stephanie is a former global manufacturing CEO who turned down an appearance on Undercover Boss to focus on a new mission: helping Gen Z navigate the overwhelming pressure of career choices.

With 84% of students worrying that the wrong degree will hurt their financial future, Stephanie is here to show us a better way. We’ll explore how her free platform, Jebbee, acts as a "mass mentoring" tool to help teens find their path through self-exploration and real professional connections.

Bring your questions—and your teen—as we learn how to make informed, lower-stress decisions about life after high school.

Register for my conversation with CEO of Jebbee

If you want all of my workshops, parent education, and every parent/teen resource I have created in ONE place:

Join my Parent Membership, Parenting Through the Maze.

Follow and Subscribe to my Social Media:

---

"It takes a village to raise a child. Sometimes, that village just needs to be the person who isn't the one asking them to clean their room."

Unknown