Let your adult child be.

Sometimes parents have to let their offspring succeed or fail on their own.

Because parents want to protect ther kids. Maybe a little to much. They don't want them to fail or fall on their faces.

Honestly, I might have been glad if my parents had offered some input in my future career plans. It is kind of overwhelming to choose something when you re young like that, but they weren't really well versed in what was out there After all sometimes parents know you better than you know yourself..but it is useless to try to force adolescent children to do anything. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink.

Today';s adult child will not let anyone interfere with them

That is so true. I guide my daughter but her decision is on her and I respect that.

Yes indeed Judy We have to let our kids make decisions and choices for themselves Even if it's not what we want for them

I personally think why society in general is so miserable. Good advice miss lady.

We watched a few films lately where the parent is pretty desperate to live a new life through their child. It never works.

Well, sometimes, like in my case, they can not decide for themselves either. I have spent my whole life trying to decide what to do, and ended up doing nothing much at all. I think we all need some help at a younger age to help us see what we are best suited for, and to encourage us to further build strengths in the areas of our strengths. School was largely a waste of time, because even the teachers forced us to do compulsory subjects, and were not letting us choose for ourselves, and yet some discussion on the matter would have been welcome too. I was forced to do metal work, for example, which I had no interest in at all, a complete waste of my time.

My daughter just turned 18. She doesn't work yet, but it works for us. She helps us with the housework and youngest. She seems to like doing it. Almost like a house manager. I say she is a stay at home sister. SAHS.

I can see it if the family owns a business, but if the teen has no interest in pursuiting the same degree or taking over the business, let it be.

My mother decided that I would be a secretary as she was. I'm glad that I progressed far above a secretary and even owned my own business. I went back to school in my 30s too. I wish my parents could have let me be more flexible in my career path right from the start.

I agree. We give them wings. It's up to them to learn where they want those wings to take them. Good or bad. Whatever they choose is their path and all we can hope as parents is that they choose the right one that takes them to all the places they want to go. But we can't force it, and nothing is a guarantee.

My own kids were free to choose. I do have to admit they all seemed to have ambitions for college and a goal in mind. My two sons both took a year off between high school and college. At the time, we told them they could continue to live at home during that time, but that we expected them to work--and they had no problems with that, they both worked full time. They both claimed to be sick of school, but by the time they had spent a year working, they were ready for college and anxious to go. No one should choose for their kids. It's their lives, not ours. Good discussion topic, Judy.

In the past that was tradition, but there are so many choices now. People can have many jobs and careers over their adult life. Many things to be chosen.

Yes, that's true! Parents should allow them to decide after providing guidance.

Some parents can be overbearing and others not involved enough.

It was the norm with Asian parents a generation ago. They could not become an engineer or doctor and pressure was put on their children to make them one. My son decided for himself from the age of twelve though he sought my advice.