The 401k is melting; retirement seems further away than ever. And then there are the needs of our not-quite-independent adult children. They've got their college debts, the difficulty in finding a job in this economy. They may move back home–as an affordability measure. And, of course, all those hurts hurt us. We want to help. We want to open our wallets and ease the way.
But sometimes we shouldn't. Or can't. For those debating whether to help or not, there's this tip from an expert on young adults:
Don't coddle them. Gifts of money, time, and assistance
should be reserved for times of need or special achievement; otherwise,
young adults fail to develop self-reliance skills that will help them
navigate life's choppy waters. Then, when parental support dries up,
they become frustrated failures. Give help when it's critical but don't
overdo it.
PenPenWrites 
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