I know...they tug at your heartstrings...then at your purse strings...next thing you know...you’re bankrupt!
A parent has to be hardened in order for their children to be independent. Mine? Sure. We helped them a lot with their home work, taught them how to organize their studies and how to work with the syllabus. Exercised them, paid them for work around the place and fed them healthy, nutritious meals. No snacks, no BS. They all kept their noses clean, we closely monitored their “friends”. It was basically a military dictatorship. They all went into the service and they finished up their degree programs. We chose to be parents and not friends, not pals, nor buddies. Guess what happened next? They grew up and are responsible adults. I think they appreciate the family culture we instituted from the get go.