Ep. 279: "Dad, I’ve Got This”: Raising Independent Kids

In this special Father’s Day episode, Dr. Meg Meeker talks with Rob Finlay, author of Hey Dad, Everything You Should Have Learned About Life but Didn’t. They dive into how parents—especially dads—can raise kids who are prepared for real-world responsibilities.

In this episode:

• The life skills every teen needs before leaving home

• Why failure builds independence and confidence

• Communication, budgeting, and decision-making in everyday life

• The crucial role fathers play in raising self-sufficient kids

Timestamps:

00:00 – Father’s Day message
00:32 – Meet Rob Finlay
01:30 – Why young adults feel unprepared
03:12 – Life skills your kids really need
07:45 – Letting them fail
12:10 – How to talk to adults
17:23 – Financial literacy basics
23:38 – Building independence through responsibility
29:15 – Support vs. overparenting
33:42 – Final thoughts

Resources:
Rob Finlay’s book → Simon & Schuster
Try Dr. Meg's PGK community for free → https://meekerparenting.com/

About Our Guest

Rob Finlay is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, entrepreneur, speaker, and father of four. He has built and sold multiple companies, with deep experience in commercial real estate, finance, and leadership. His latest book, Hey Dad: Everything You Should’ve Learned About Life (But Didn’t) (released April 29, 2025), offers practical life-skills guidance for young adults—covering topics like budgeting, job hunting, home maintenance, and communication—with real-world insights and expert interviews. You can learn more about Rob, his work, and his books at his official website: robfinlay.com

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