Talking To Teens: Expert Tips for Parenting Teenagers

Robert Finlay, author of Hey Dad, shares essential strategies on how parents can equip teens with crucial adulting skills, covering money management, networking, handling emergencies, and building independence.

Full Show Notes

Do your teens sometimes shock you with questions you assumed they already knew the answer to? Maybe they call in the middle of the night wondering how to fill gas in their car or whether they can use the mysterious "green gas." These “Hey Dad” (or "Hey Mom") calls are more than just amusing anecdotes—they highlight a gap we're all trying to fill as parents: how do we ensure our teenagers really understand the requirements of adulting before they leave the nest?

Most parents worry whether they have properly prepared their kids for adulthood, for those surprising (and inevitable!) real-world circumstances. But with teens constantly occupied by schoolwork, sports, friends, and the digital world, how can we efficiently—and effectively—pass along the essential skills needed to confidently step into adulthood?

Our guest this week, Rob Finlay, found himself pondering the same question after repeated "Hey Dad" calls from his four kids. Inspired by these moments—and a particularly memorable call from his daughter asking about gas options—Rob set out to gather the necessary knowledge teens needed. After collecting advice and insight from over 30 experts ranging from finance executives to medical specialists and seasoned first responders, Rob compiled Hey Dad: Everything You Should Have Learned About Life But Didn’t, a hands-on guide to navigating early adulthood.

In our conversation, Rob shares practical tips and hilarious stories to help parents bridge life-skill gaps with their teens. We discuss how to approach money management, prepare kids for career uncertainties, teach networking fundamentals and handle emergencies without panic, and ultimately shift those seemingly trivial late-night phone calls into moments that reflect growth and independence.

The Power (and Peril) of Teen Money

Many parents know the frustration of seeing their teen disregard financial advice, only to later scramble when reality hits. Rob stresses that simply "lecturing" teens about finances rarely sticks—instead, he recommends leveraging conversations about actual real-world consequences. Rob illustrates how introducing basic concepts with compelling scenarios can make money feel relevant to teens. Whether exploring the benefits of good credit scores or the hidden costs of overdrafts, making finances meaningful prepares teens better than abstract and dry instructions ever could.

Rob also discusses the power of "compounding" beyond just a financial context, underscoring how even small, consistent actions build substantial results over time—not just in savings, but also in relationships, networking, and personal habits.

Networking for Young Adults

Ever heard your teen wishfully mention becoming a digital influencer or shrug off job opportunities because it doesn't align with their unclear plan for the future? Rob emphasizes the reality that connections matter profoundly when seeking employment opportunities. He encourages parents to expose teens to situations outside their peer groups and comfort zones—from attending family business dinners to encouraging brief informational interviews with professionals in fields of interest.

Rob reminds us that teens are more respected and supported by adults than they realize. Teaching teens to leverage LinkedIn or encouraging them to reach out for career advice fosters self-confidence, creates diverse connections, and transforms the job market from a daunting challenge to a network-driven opportunity.

"Real World" Readiness and Handling Emergencies

Every parent dreads the thought that their teen will one day encounter an emergency situation. But as Rob shares, there are essential skills every young adult should know, from handling first-aid emergencies all the way through troubleshooting car issues when stranded late at night.

Incorporating expert insights from professional first responders, Rob advises parents on walking teens through emergency preparedness so they can remain calm and in control when it matters the most. After all, adulting skills also go beyond financial independence—they mean knowing how to stay calm when things inevitably don't go as planned.

Embracing the Journey

Above all, Rob emphasizes preparing teens not just for immediate independence but for flexible, resilient, lifelong growth. He illustrates how important it is for teens to accept uncertainty and potential failure not as setbacks, but as essential parts of the journey. By modeling and teaching these attitudes, Rob believes we can elevate those unforgettable phone calls from anxious dependency into mature, genuine moments of bonding and learning.

In The Episode…

Rob’s insights offer practical solutions to parents seeking to empower their teens for real-world readiness. In addition to these core topics, we explore:

Rob Finlay's practical wisdom and instructive energy make this episode indispensable listening for every parent who wants to transform their teen's uncertainty into confident independence. The next time your teen calls around midnight, you'll not only know how to handle the call—you'll welcome the growth behind it. Tune in for more, and don’t forget to subscribe!