Adult Children

Our numbers are legion – mothers who did the best we could with what we had… and are still carrying the weight of wondering if it was ever enough. So many of us are quietly struggling. With guilt. With strained relationships. With the painful question: Where did I go wrong?

While grandparenting can be one of the greatest gifts, I reflect on what I wrote before I had grandchildren and agree with Clare Ansberry about “ceding control” to our adult children when they become parents. Since having a grandchild (now five years old), I also want to elaborate…

By the time we reach our 60s, we reflect on what we once hoped for with our family. I hear from women that they would grow older harmoniously with their families. It is encouraging and a blessing when this is the case. But many struggle under the shroud of secrecy…

When Baby Boomers started their working lives, retirement pensions were more common. However, starting in the 1970s, the IRA and 401(k) revolution kicked off the transition away from defined benefit plans (pensions) to defined contribution plans like 401(k)s…

Raising four daughters has been the most rewarding journey of my life. As they’ve grown into independent women, our relationships have naturally evolved, presenting both joyful moments and unexpected challenges. Navigating this transition…

Family disputes over elderly parents are more common when multiple children are involved. Siblings may be wondering how to protect the money of elderly parents from a financially dependent brother or sister. Relationship tensions may escalate…

Owning a home is a significant milestone on the path to achieving the American Dream. Yet many in the post-Baby Boom generations despair that it’s beyond their grasp. A CNN poll reported that 90% of renters under 45 say they’d like to be homeowners but can’t afford it…

If a mother-in-law has trust and faith in her son, it should give her the confidence to let go and let her son live his own life. She can learn to play a different role and find new interests to occupy her newfound time. Life changes force us to play…

Although frustrating, experiencing guilt isn’t all bad. Guilt is a natural emotion that plays a crucial role in keeping our moral compass tuned. But when guilt becomes excessive, irrational, or is used by someone else to try to control our actions, it can become a big problem…

Many parents help their children with education costs. Virtually, all parents pay for any K-12 costs. However, when it comes to post-secondary education, support depends not only on parental ability to pay but also on each family’s philosophy on how much cost older…