Parenting and parameters, that’s got to be an oxymoron. In terms of parenting, everything is relative. Parenting is a form of “situational leadership.” Here’ my take. I do believe there comes a time when, we as parents can say “I love you, but enough is enough.” But, that time must be child and situation specific. There is no general rule. On the other hand, don’t be guilted into thinking that you owe your adult children a living, YOU DON’T! When you provide support that is above and beyond for that adult you need to communicate the fact that you are providing assistance out of the goodness of your heart and not because of a debt owed. And, don’t be afraid to ask for reimbursement! My grandmother bought me a car when I was a junior in college. She said you can pay me back after you graduate and get your first job. In my head I was thinking, yeah right, she wouldn’t dare take money from me. She was waiting for me, hands out (not for a hug) when I got my first paycheck. Her hand stayed out until she was paid off. Was I shocked, absolutely, did I resent her for it, absolutely, did I love her any less, NO! Miss you YaYa.

You can stick a fork in it, but you’re not done until they say you’re done. Sometimes you can do everything right and still not win. Your child can get good academic and citizenship grades in school, always respect her/himself and others, and pursue a legitimate career only to find out that life got in the way of their plans. The economy took a dive and took the promised job with it, the life partner turned out to be someone who was raised by wolves, or the car that they spent their life savings on turned out to be a hunk of junk. When life hands our children lemons, and they have done everything possible to become productive citizens, it is our duty, our responsibility to help them turn lemon into lemon aide, NO MATTER WHAT AGE.

You can stick a fork in it, but you’re not done until they say you’re done. Sometimes you can do everything right and still not win. Your child can get good academic and citizenship grades in school, always respect her/himself and others, and pursue a legitimate career only to find out that life got in the way of their plans. The economy took a dive and took the promised job with it, the life partner turned out to be someone who was raised by wolves, or the car that they spent their life savings on turned out to be a hunk of junk. When life hands our children lemons, and they have done everything possible to become productive citizens, it is our duty, our responsibility to help them turn lemon into lemon aide, NO MATTER WHAT AGE.