Welcome to Backstage with Randy Phillips — a lighthearted dialogue meant to inspire every heart and home to live a life of purpose.

In this episode of Backstage with Randy Phillips, bestselling author and speaker Jim Burns joins the show to discuss the ups and downs of parenting adult children, the importance of faith in family life, and why unsolicited advice is often taken as criticism. Jim shares powerful insights from his book Doing Life with Your Adult Children: Keep Your Mouth Shut and the Welcome Mat Out, along with practical wisdom for strengthening family relationships. With humor and authenticity, Jim and Randy dive into the challenges of launching kids into adulthood, the evolving landscape of marriage, and the power of prayer in shaping a lasting legacy.

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CHAPTERS 

0:00 – Introduction: Keep Your Mouth Shut and the Welcome Mat Out

1:05 – The importance of giving kids a passport to adulthood

2:38 – How Jim Burns was “coerced” into writing a book on parenting adult children

4:23 – Be nice to your kids, one day they’ll take away your car keys

6:04 – The unexpected challenges of the empty nest season

7:43 – 936 weeks: The limited time parents have before their kids are grown

9:56 – Why churches need to be a place for families to reconnect

11:06 – Unsolicited advice = criticism – How parents unknowingly push adult children away

14:12 – The right time to step in when your child is struggling

16:30 – The power of praying for your children—even when they’ve strayed

19:24 – A beautiful story: Jim’s grandson Huxley asks, “Where’s my name?” in grandpa’s prayer journal

22:09 – Why are young people waiting longer to get married?

24:25 – The rise of emerging adulthood and its impact on relationships

26:45 – Cohabitation vs. marriage: What the research says

29:19 – The importance of mentors in preparing for marriage

31:55 – Why young adults often turn back to church when they start families

33:40 – The transition from teens to emerging adults to adulthood

35:50 – Final thoughts: How to let go and trust God with your adult children

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