About this episode

Julie and David Bulitt discuss strategies for raising resilient kids with guest Jeff Nelligan.

Julie and David Bulitt sit down with Jeff Nelligan, author of "The Four Lessons from My Three Sons," former congressional staffer, presidential appointee, Army veteran, and Georgetown Law graduate, for a refreshing, no-nonsense conversation about raising resilient kids. Jeff shares the strategies he used to build independence in his three boys (all of whom became military officers), from the famous "$5 in the mall" challenge to turning everyday errands into teaching moments. Together they dig into the dangers of helicopter and snowplow parenting, why kids need to fail while the stakes are still small, and how letting children struggle actually builds the confidence and ambition they'll carry into adulthood. Julie offers a therapist's perspective on kids facing real adversity, and David presses Jeff on how two parents get on the same page about a firmer parenting style. Whether you're raising toddlers or launching a teenager toward college, this episode is full of hidden gems on courtesy, confidence, resilience, and ambition — the four components of a "good kid." Find Jeff and his book: Website: https://www.nelliganbooks.com Instagram: @Nelligan_books X (Twitter): Resilient Sons…

People in this episode

Hosts: Julie Bulitt, David Bulitt

Guest: Jeff Nelligan

Topics covered

• parenting
• resilience
• child development
• independence
• family dynamics

Keywords

• resilient kids
• parenting strategies
• independence
• helicopter parenting
• confidence

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Georgetown Law, Nelligan Books, The Bulitts

Books & works: The Four Lessons from My Three Sons

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