Well, as the mom to a 20-year-old and a 22-year-old, I have to say that I still find myself opening my yap and giving advice, cautioning, etc. I am trying to be more careful, though, and am trying to step back.

I know I don't appreciate it when I get unsolicited advice (especially when it seems critical) from my 85-year-old mother. I will be sad, though, when she is gone, and I don't have that special someone who will care for me in that way. I have to say that she means well. But she did hang on too long with treating me like a little kid!

I think the bottom line is when a child is over the age of 18 and is working and basically financially independent, then the parents really need to be there when needed and not butt in too much. If a child is still living at home, then the child should pay a bit of rent and/or help out around the house.

If the child is over 18, and is working and financially independent, then as far as I am concerned, he/she fully meets the criteria of adult, and the apron springs really should be cut loose. And the parents should try to stay out of their child's business, unless asked--or if something really rough is going on with the child. We always care about the welfare of our children. (Of course, I'm talking about more "normal" parents--not abusive, etc.)

I do hold to the belief that parents have the right to have a say-so about what goes on in their own home, though. So they can set some restrictions about what children living with them can and can not do to some extent.

That's my opinion, anyway.