Dr. Mark McConville - Supporting the Transition to Adulthood
From Parenting For The Present by Parenting For The Present
January 11, 2026 · 50 min · Season 9 · Episode 8
About this episode
This episode features Dr. Mark McConville discussing how parents can support their teens and young adults in the transition to independence without enabling dependence.
Why do some teens and young adults struggle to take the next step into adulthood—and how can parents support independence without rescuing or enabling? In this episode of Parenting for the Present , we sit down with renowned clinical psychologist and author Dr. Mark McConville , whose groundbreaking work Failure to Launch has helped thousands of families navigate the complex transition from adolescence to adulthood. With over 30 years of experience working with teens, young adults, and families, Dr. McConville brings clarity, compassion, and practical insight to one of today's most pressing parenting challenges. Together, we explore why young adults can become "stuck," how well-intentioned parenting can unintentionally reinforce dependence, and what it truly looks like to foster competence, resilience, and autonomy. Dr. McConville unpacks key concepts like executive functioning, promotion anxiety, and the shift parents must make from manager to consultant as their children mature. He also offers concrete strategies for creating healthy boundaries, motivating growth through necessity rather than control, and staying deeply connected—even when the path forward feels uncertain…
People in this episode
Host: Parenting For The Present
Guest: Dr. Mark McConville
Topics covered
- transition to adulthood
- parenting strategies
- independence
- executive functioning
- resilience
- healthy boundaries
Keywords
- parenting
- young adults
- independence
- executive functioning
- resilience
- healthy boundaries
- Failure to Launch
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Failure to Launch
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