Small Steps, Big Confidence: 18 Year Old Kate Shares Her Journey 
In this episode of *It’s Not About Money*, Charla is once again joined by her daughter, Kate, to dive into an important topic—confidence. As a high school senior preparing for college, Kate shares her perspective on how she built confidence over time and how parents can support their kids in becoming independent, self-assured young adults.

Key Topics Covered: 

- How Confidence Develops Over Time

Kate reflects on how confidence isn’t something you wake up with one day—it grows through experiences and small wins. She shares how being encouraged to handle things on her own, rather than having her parents step in, helped her develop resilience and belief in herself.

- Taking Small Steps to Build Independence 

Charla explains how she intentionally gave Kate opportunities to practice independence in low-risk situations, such as taking her first solo flight in middle school. These experiences helped prepare Kate for bigger moments, like traveling abroad with her school group.

- Handling Real-World Challenges 

Kate recounts situations where she had to rely on her own problem-solving skills, such as staying home alone for the first time, dealing with minor car accidents, and even navigating a difficult breakup. Each experience reinforced her ability to handle tough situations on her own.

- Overcoming Fears Through Experience 

One of the most entertaining stories Kate shares is how she faced her lifelong fear of roaches while living in a dorm over the summer. Instead of panicking, she took charge, realizing that her ability to handle small fears helped build confidence in other areas of life.

- Why Parents Should Step Back 

Charla emphasizes the importance of allowing kids to figure things out for themselves. Whether it’s making phone calls, cooking meals, or handling difficult conversations, parents who always step in may unintentionally hold their kids back from gaining confidence.

 Call to Action: 

* Catch Up: If you have not listened to the first episode in this series (28 Skills Every Teen Should Master) or downloaded the list from the blog, go back and get caught up!  You will be glad you did.
* Reflect: Are you giving your child enough opportunities to practice independence? Consider small ways to let them take the lead.
* Join the Discussion: What’s the biggest confidence-building moment you’ve seen in your child? Share your thoughts with us here in the comments or on social media!

Connect With Us: 

- Read more about this topic and other discussions on Charla’s blog: [https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/our-blog](https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/our-blog)

- Subscribe to the weekly email with links to our podcast and blog: [https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/subscribe-1](https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/subscribe-1)

- Learn more about our unique products designed to enhance your children’s understanding of real-world money management: [https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/](https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/)