How Helping Your Kids Can Hold Them Back
Dr. Laura's Deep Dive Podcast
Deep Dive
Why are many adult children experiencing a 'failure to launch' into independence?
Many adult children fail to launch into independence because parents often protect them from struggles, overpraise, under-criticize, and make excuses for their behavior. This coddling prevents them from learning how to cope with discomfort and take responsibility for their actions.
What advice did Dr. Laura give to Sue about her 22-year-old daughter living at home?
Dr. Laura advised Sue to charge her daughter rent or encourage her to move out and live independently. She emphasized that allowing adult children to rely on their parents without responsibility hinders their ability to mature and become self-sufficient.
How does overprotecting children affect their development into adulthood?
Overprotecting children prevents them from experiencing natural consequences, learning resilience, and developing self-confidence. It fosters dependency and entitlement, making it harder for them to navigate adult responsibilities independently.
What was the outcome for Lori after her stepfather encouraged her to move out?
After her stepfather made it difficult for her to continue living at home, Lori moved out, struggled initially, but eventually thrived. She worked two jobs, finished her degree, became a hospice nurse, and built a fulfilling life, proving that independence fosters growth.
Why did Dr. Laura criticize Bruce for financially supporting his son and his son's wife?
Dr. Laura criticized Bruce for enabling his son's dependency by financially supporting him and his wife. She argued that this approach undermines the son's ability to take responsibility for his life and make adult decisions, which is essential for his growth into a self-sufficient man.
What is the importance of letting children face the consequences of their actions?
Letting children face the consequences of their actions teaches them accountability, resilience, and problem-solving skills. It helps them develop self-confidence and prepares them to handle challenges independently as adults.
How did Dr. Laura respond to Mo's sense of entitlement about living at home to save money for travel?
Dr. Laura criticized Mo's entitlement, stating that living at home to save money for travel is immature. She advised Mo to live independently and save for travel on her own, emphasizing that relying on parents for such luxuries is irresponsible.
What did Dr. Laura suggest to Kara about her son's poor college performance?
Dr. Laura advised Kara to stop enabling her son's poor performance by cutting off financial support. She recommended that her son get a job and figure out his next steps independently, as this would help him mature and take responsibility for his life.
- Parent believes teacher is bullying her daughter.
- Dr. Laura suspects more to the situation.
- Suggests finding another school or homeschooling if the situation is unbearable.
Shownotes Transcript