Welcome, moms and pops of the internet. Kids are expensive. When they're babies, it feels like every penny goes towards diapers, babysitters, and food. As they grow, they start needing more and more food (while also getting pickier and picker). They start growing rapidly, necessitating a constant flow of new shoes and clothes that will fit them comfortably. Then, money goes into school, school supplies, hobbies, toys, trips, extracurricular activities, and now in the 2020s, subscriptions to Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV, et cetera. Then as teens, you can start to worry about allowance, cars, and university.
One might think that as adults the madness may finally end, but no matter how old they are, your kids are still your kids. While they might be more financially independent, it is still a parent's place to parent and help out when the kids are in a pickle. In our story today, a father feels taken advantage of by his adult daughter after years of low-contact - except when she needs something. Read below for the full story and the amazing advice given by other Gen X parents in the midst of parenting young adults.
