Summary: If you’ve watched Netflix’s Adolescence, you probably felt your heart twist a few times. I know mine did. The show brilliantly captures what it means to come of age in today’s turbulent world. There’s another layer quietly pulsing beneath the surface—the stress of being a leader as you parent your children.
Dear Dr. Sylvia,
I span several generations as a parent. From a five-year-old son full of “why this, why that,” to twin teen girls who could care less what I have to say.
I am “waffling” between being a good, kind parent and being a dogmatic, no-nonsense leader.
Interestingly, I am also that way at work. Always bounding from one extreme to the other.
I know you often discuss the concept that “what we learned in our original organization, the family, shows up in our present organization at work.”
I need some help with being a leader at home and work.
Any advice is appreciated.
Sgned,
Searching
Leadership, Whether at Home or at Work, is a Skill Always in Need of Polishing
Dear Searching,
Firstly, I want to discuss the impact the series Adolescence is having world wide.
I will use this well done series to explore leadership through the lens of parenting.
For example, as parents, we are leaders in our families. We’re not just watching this story unfold on-screen—we’re living it. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, reactive, or just plain exhausted, you’re not alone.
The good news? You’re not broken. You’re just carrying invisible stress. And there’s a way through it.
That’s precisely why I created the Stress Mastery program. But before we dive into solutions, let’s explore what the series Adolescence gets right—and what we, as parents and leaders, can learn.
The Unseen Weight Behind the Eye Roll
In Adolescence, the tension between parents and teens often erupts over “nothing”: curfews, clothing, and screen time. But underneath the sighs and slammed doors is a universal truth—teens are searching for identity, and parents are struggling with the fear of letting go.
That’s where invisible stress shows up. It’s the late-night worry: Did I mess up? Am I doing enough? Why won’t they talk to me anymore?
In our Stress Mastery course, we help you unpack where these stress responses come from—not just in the moment, but rooted in your own upbringing. You start to see the patterns. The overreactions. The guilt. And you learn how to break the cycle.
This is the way OUT of ingrained behaviors that no longer work:
OBSERVE: First, track your upsets by noting how often they occur.
UNDERSTAND: Next, let’s examine where these outdated behaviors originated.
TRANSFORM: Then, engage in strength training to develop new, effective responses.
No One Talks About the Grief of Growing Up—For Parents
One of the most poignant aspects of Adolescence is how parents mourn the loss of the child they used to know. Suddenly, the affectionate 8-year-old is a moody 14-year-old who keeps their door closed and shares more with TikTok than with you.
That shift is stressful. But it’s also a form of grief. And we’re not taught how to grieve this stage.
Instead, we soldier on—until the stress leaks out in raised voices, withdrawn silence, or endless worry. Our Stress Mastery program gives you space to acknowledge this grief, normalize it, and transform it. Because when you name what you’re feeling, you no longer have to be ruled by it.
Generational Patterns: The Real Unseen Villain
Adolescence subtly reveals how trauma travels through families. A parent’s perfectionism, control, or avoidance often stems from their own upbringing. And without realizing it, we pass it on—not because we don’t care, but because we haven’t healed.
Stress Mastery teaches that awareness is the first step to freedom. That is the way OUT. You’ll begin to see which of your parenting reactions are rooted in your own childhood and how to shift from reacting to responding—with love, clarity, and calm.
When You Feel Like You’re Failing
There are moments in Adolescence when even the most well-meaning parents look lost. And that’s real. Parenting teens, and also toddlers, is not about getting it perfect—it’s about being present and staying connected, even through conflict.
Stress tells you to withdraw or lash out. Mastery teaches you to pause, breathe, and respond from your wiser self. Our program gives you easy-to-use tools to handle even the toughest moments without collapsing into guilt or ange
You Deserve Support Too
The show reminds us how much pressure teens are under. But what about the pressure on you?
You’re managing a household, navigating your career or relationships, and trying to raise a human in an upside-down world. That’s a lot. Parenting shouldn’t be a solo climb.
In Stress Mastery, we offer a space where you can be real. You can laugh, cry, exhale, learn, and grow—not just as a parent but as a human being reclaiming peace in the chaos.
Final Thoughts: Real Stories. Real Change.
Watching Adolescence may have stirred up some uncomfortable truths—but discomfort is often a doorway.
If you’re tired of feeling reactive, anxious, or alone on this parenting journey, I invite you to explore Stress Mastery. This is more than just a course; it’s a lifeline, a reset, a place to learn how to parent without punishing yourself, and a place to master the stress that’s been running the show for too long.
Because when you grow, your child grows too.
Let Adolescence be a wake-up call—not a warning.
Your family deserves more ease, more connection, and more joy. And it starts with you.
What you change in your family interations you can then navigate to your world at work.
To your success,
Sylvia Lafair
PS. Wanr a private coaching session? Our team is here to help. We are a phone call or email away.
