Start with readiness
You and your young person separately consider what they feel ready to handle.
GROWN CABBAGE · FOR PARENTS
Ready isn't
the same as
old enough.
You can't prepare them for everything.
But you can give them somewhere to practise.
Real-life challenges for young people to make decisions, navigate people and work things out for themselves.
a little more “I've got this”
THEIR PRACTICE GROUND
01 / CHOOSEMake a choice.
02 / TRYSee what happens.
03 / DISCOVERFind your way.
ROOM TO
GROW.
10–16 years old4 weeks to try it outSmall group real challenges Cascais, Portugal
A PLACE TO PRACTISE REAL LIFE
Some things they
learn by doing.
We create situations where there isn't always a right answer. Young people get to make decisions, communicate, adapt, ask for help and work out what to do next.
Help them practise now, before the stakes get high.
01 They make a decision. 02 They see what happens. 03 They try again. Because independence takes practice.
EXAMPLES FROM THE LABS
Real situations.
Their decisions.
01 / FRIENDS Everyone agrees.
Except for one.
The group follows the loudest person's idea. Your young person spots a problem.
Where would they start? +
Except for one.
How could they speak up without dismissing the others? There may be more than one way forward.
02 / CHOICES The plan changes.
What now?
Your young person and their friends have planned an end-of-exams celebration. The activity is cancelled. They need a new plan within their budget.
Where would they start? +
What now?
What matters most to their group? What could they change, and what would they check first?
03 / JUDGEMENT Three answers.
Who can they trust?
AI gives them one answer. An adult tells them something different. A friend says something else.
Where would they start? +
Who can they trust?
How could they find out what each answer is based on? Sounding confident isn't the same as being right.
There isn't always a perfect answer. That's the point.
Food for thought for them.
A new perspective
for you.
The Labs give your young person space to think through situations that may already be on their mind: friendships, choices and growing independence.
You get one small experiment to try at home each week. Together, you build a shared language to use outside Cabbage, in everyday life.
Questions worth making space for
When do I support? 01
When do I ask a question? 02
When do I trust their call? 03
When do I let them try? 04
You don't have to work it all out in advance.
REAL LIFE LABS · FOUNDING PILOT
Start with four weeks.
See what grows.
A first module to try it out.
Then pause, reflect and decide what's next.
Practise real life
Your young person takes on a different challenge each week, with decisions to make, surprises to navigate and a group to work with.
Give it room at home
One small experiment each week for you to try — without taking over the challenge.
Look back. Choose what's next.
Bring together what they thought, what you noticed and what we observed. Then consider another module.
OPTIONAL COACHING
A little extra support?
Parent coaching and youth coaching are available as optional add-ons to the Labs. Ask us about either when we talk.
MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND CABBAGE
Two different paths.
One shared purpose.
Giving young people more opportunities to practise real life.
Alla
Many years of teaching university students inspired Alla to give young people an earlier start at practising real life.
As a professional coach, Alla brings thoughtful questions and insights to every conversation and has a knack for making complicated things feel manageable. She helps young people think for themselves and works with parents to find a balance that works at home.
Bridgett
Bridgett has built and successfully exited multiple businesses. She brings first-hand experience of making tough decisions, bringing people together and turning setbacks into a workable next step.
Now Bridgett is choosing to put that experience into working with young people: giving them space to take the lead, make mistakes and discover what they’re capable of.
A FEW GOOD QUESTIONS
Wondering
about something?
That's a good place to start.
Is this a life-skills course?+
Rather than teaching a list of skills, we create situations in which young people use judgement, communicate, make choices, adapt and decide when they need help.
Will you tell them the right answer?+
Many of the situations deliberately have no perfect answer. The aim is to practise working something out, notice what happens and reflect on what they might try next.
What's my role as a parent?+
A short readiness check, one small experiment between sessions and a chance to share what you noticed. The weekly Labs are the young person's experience.
What happens after four weeks?+
We look back together: what your young person thought, what you noticed and what we observed. You can then consider the next module; the first commitment is four weeks.
Is coaching available?+
Yes. Parent coaching and youth coaching are available as optional add-ons. You can ask about either alongside the Labs.
Is Cabbage a finished programme?+
This is our founding pilot. We're testing the approach with a small group of families, gathering observations and feedback, and using what we learn to develop what comes next.
How do I know if it's right for my child?+
We start with a short conversation before anyone joins. Tell us about your young person, ask your questions and see whether the pilot feels like a good fit.