When Do You Stop Helping Your Kids?

Never

Photo by Alexandr Podvalny on Unsplash

I was having a conversation with a mother of two small children. She was overwhelmed. She was taking one child to the doctor for an ear infection. The other went to the dentist. I listened patiently. I recall the exhaustion and frustration of trying to do too many things at once.

I smiled at her and said, “Those were the good old days. You took them by the hand and off to the doctors, the dentist, and wherever else they needed to be. A treat brought a smile, and an extra super gift was a trip to a toy store”.

As the kids grow, so do their problems and needs. My father-in-law used to say the little ones don’t let you sleep, and the bigger ones don’t let you live. This, my friends, is true.

What can I do to help my grown children who are now parents? I can listen and offer suggestions if they are willing to hear them. Money is always welcome, but I am not a bank. In some things, I am just out of tune. My grandkids are city kids and freely travel the buses and subways. Do I like this? Oh no, but it is not my call.

I have learned to get recommendations before buying anything. If it is not approved, I will never see it again. When my children were small, staying at Grandma and Grandpa’s houses, the adults were in charge. Not so in my house now. I have become flexible. I had no choice.

The answer to when you stop helping your children depends on your home, partner, finances, and culture. For me, never, or as long as I can. I hope. What are your thoughts about this? Judy

This story is published under “Slow Burn Stories.” A space for raw thoughts, everyday fictional, Non-fictional stories, and voices that feel real and relatable. Would you like to contribute? Follow our publication. Have a story to tell? Share it with us here.”

[embed]Slow Burn Stories Here, we accept all kinds of stories. Your stories don’t have to be perfect, just real. If you want to contritbute then…medium.com