When Your Young Adult Feels Lost: How to Support Them Without Taking Over
As parents, one of the hardest things we can face is watching our young adult child feel lost. Maybe they’re unsure about their career path, thinking about leaving college, struggling to find real friendships, or simply waking up each day without a clear sense of purpose.
If you’ve been there, you know the ache in your heart — the desire to jump in, fix it, and give them the clarity they so desperately need. But here’s the truth: our role as parents shifts during these years. Our young adults don’t need us to solve everything for them. They need us to stand beside them as they learn to find their own way.
Why Young Adults Feel Stuck
Many parents quietly worry: Why is my young adult struggling when I’ve given them so much support? The reality is, this season of life is full of uncertainty. Young adults are balancing:
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The pressure to “figure it all out” quickly (career, school, relationships).
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Comparisons to peers who seem further ahead.
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The overwhelming mix of freedom and responsibility.
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Internal doubts about whether they’re “good enough” to succeed.
This struggle is normal. In fact, it’s part of the process of becoming who they’re meant to be. But normal doesn’t mean easy — for them or for us as parents.
How to Support Without Taking Over
Here are a few heartfelt, practical ways we’ve learned (both as parents ourselves and as life coaches for young adults) to support them through the fog:
1. Shift From Directing to Guiding
Instead of handing them answers, ask curious questions:
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“What feels important to you right now?”
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“What do you want to explore, even if it’s just a small step?”
This gives them ownership and empowers them to find clarity at their own pace.
2. Create Space for Their Process
It’s tempting to push, but growth takes time. Encourage small steps instead of big leaps. Remind them that they don’t have to have life figured out by 20.
3. Affirm Their Strengths
When they’re lost, they often forget what makes them unique. Gently point out what you see: their creativity, kindness, persistence, humor, or resilience. Sometimes our words are the mirror they need.
4. Model Self-Trust
Your young adult watches how you handle life’s uncertainty. Show them what it looks like to pause, regroup, and take intentional steps forward — even when you don’t have all the answers.
When to Consider Outside Support
Sometimes, hearing encouragement from a parent isn’t enough. That’s where outside support can be powerful. A life coach for young adults provides a safe, non-judgmental space where they can:
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Define a clear path forward in school, career, or personal life.
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Build confidence and independence.
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Learn rituals and tools to manage stress, distractions, and self-doubt.
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Reconnect with their passions and values.
We’ve seen countless young adults who once felt stuck begin to thrive once they had a coach walking alongside them.
A Parent-to-Parent Reminder
If your young adult feels lost right now, please know: it doesn’t mean you’ve failed as a parent. It simply means they’re human — in the messy middle of figuring out who they are.
Your steady love, patient support, and willingness to walk beside them (not in front of them) is exactly what they need. And if they need more, that’s okay too. Sometimes the most loving thing we can do is connect them with resources that help them grow.
Ready to Learn More?
If you’re wondering whether life coaching could help your young adult, we’d love to connect with you. We offer a free discovery call to share how we support young adults in finding clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Because every young adult deserves to feel seen, supported, and empowered to step into the life they’re meant to live.
Learn More About Our Revolutionary Coaching Program for Teens & Young Adults!
