“They Won’t Listen to Me Anymore”:

A Parent’s Guide to Passenger to Pilot

Hi—I’m Stephanie, founder of Passenger to Pilot.
I’m a mentor, coach, and someone who has spent most of my career helping people get unstuck, build confidence, and move forward with purpose.
I’ve worked with CEOs and graduates, students and professionals—but some of my most important work is with young adults figuring out who they are and what they want.


Your child is bright, capable, and full of potential—but they can’t see it.
Or maybe they can, but they’re stuck.
They say they want to figure it out, but they won’t talk to you.
You’re trying to help—but it feels like you’re only making things worse.

Sound familiar?

You’re not alone.

At Passenger to Pilot, I support young adults who are struggling to work out what’s next
and the parents who are walking the tightrope between stepping in and stepping back.

Here are the common frustrations I hear from parents along with how mentoring helps:

1. “They won’t engage.”

You ask gentle questions. You offer support. You even find them helpful resources. Nothing lands.

What’s going on:
They’re overwhelmed, unsure of themselves, and don’t know how to start. Sometimes it’s easier to shut down than admit they’re stuck.

How mentoring helps:
I offer a neutral, non-parental space. No pressure. No agenda. Just someone who listens, reflects, and helps them take the first step.

2. “They don’t seem to get it—or care.”

They say they’ll apply for something and don’t. They scroll when they should be studying. They talk about big dreams but take no action.

What’s going on:
They’re not lazy. They’re likely anxious or afraid of getting it wrong. But it shows up as avoidance or indifference.

How mentoring helps:
I help them turn vague ambition into clear, practical steps. With structure and accountability, things start to shift—slowly, then suddenly.

3. “They say they’re lost—but reject every idea I offer.”

They want help—but not from you. Or they’re asking you to fix it, but then ignore your suggestions.

What’s going on:
They’re trying to separate from you—developmentally, that’s healthy. But it’s painful. They still need help—they just can’t take it from you.

How mentoring helps:
I meet them where they are. I speak with them, not at them. I help them build independence without isolating themselves from support.

4. “They’re overwhelmed—but doing nothing.”

So much choice. So much pressure. They don’t know what they want—and they don’t know how to admit that.

What’s going on:
They may be stuck in perfectionism or comparison. Fear of failure can look like laziness. Or confidence can be so fragile they avoid trying.

How mentoring helps:
I gently name what’s going on underneath—and offer tools to move forward. Slowly. Safely. With support.

5. “They don’t seem to know who they are anymore.”

They used to be sporty. Or academic. Or outgoing. Now? They seem unsure. Lost. Maybe even a little shut down.

What’s going on:
They’re figuring out identity, values, voice, direction. It’s messy. It’s personal. And they don’t want to do it under a microscope.

How mentoring helps:
I help them reconnect with their strengths. Not to perform—but to understand who they are, and who they’re becoming.

What Passenger to Pilot offers

I provide mentoring for young adults that is:

  • Neutral (I am not their parent or teacher)

  • Structured (clear tools, clear progress)

  • Respectful (I treat them like emerging adults)

  • Realistic (I don’t expect instant transformation)

  • Empowering (they take the lead—I guide)

I help them go from:

  • Avoiding → Acting

  • Lost → Focused

  • Stuck → In control

  • Passenger → Pilot

In Their Words

  • “Stephanie has been an incredible mentor to my son, providing invaluable support and guidance throughout his time at university and into his early career.

    Her advice and encouragement helped him navigate important decisions, from interview preparation to securing multiple job offers and choosing the best path for his career progression.

    She gave him the confidence, clarity, and motivation to take on new challenges, and I can’t thank her enough for the positive impact she has had.

    Her dedication and expertise in mentoring young adults are truly outstanding.”

    — Parent

  • “We could see our daughter was struggling—disconnected, overwhelmed, and unsure what direction to take after deciding further education wasn’t right for her. She’d been working a few casual jobs and comparing herself constantly to friends who seemed to have everything mapped out. Every conversation we tried to have about the future ended in frustration or shutdown.

    Working with Stephanie was a turning point—not just for our daughter, but for us as well. She helped her think through what actually mattered to her, without pressure or judgment. They explored different career paths, built a CV that made sense of her experience, and worked through applications together with encouragement and structure. We saw her become more engaged, more hopeful, and more confident in her own voice.

    But just as importantly, Stephanie helped us understand how to support her without taking over. She helped us let go of our own expectations and gave us the language and perspective to stay close while stepping back. As Stephanie said, we “inverted the umbrella”.

    Watching her take ownership of her path—and seeing her confidence grow—has been incredibly rewarding. We’re proud of where she’s landed, but even more than that, we’re proud of how she got there.”

    — Parent

From Parent to Partner

At some point, you have to stop holding the umbrella above them—and instead, hold it beneath. Let them walk into the world, with you as their safety net.

Mentoring gives you that chance: to step back just enough for them to step forward.

Want to give them support they’ll actually accept?  Let’s talk.

Fees start from £50 per hour, depending on the type and length of support.
I’m happy to talk through what might work best for your needs and stage.

Book a free 15 minute discovery call or send them this link.
If they won’t take it from you, they just might take it from me.