Are You Making Your Child a Slacker?

By Marty Nemko

Your adult child's slacking may be partly your fault. Have you paid his bills--especially if they're non-essentials? That kills self-reliance in the same way as welfare does. Have you condoned your adult child's taking years to "find herself?" Your child is more likely to find herself by trying out a career than by hosteling through Europe or subscribing to the Self-Help Book of the Month Club. If you really want your adult child to grow up, instead of doling out more dough, help Junior come up with his own action plan. That approach works...sometimes.