As parents you probably have experience going out and making it on your own, but things are different now. The costs of living have increased greatly while income remains low – and jobs are hard to find in this economy. By law you can kick your kids out, but if you do don’t be surprised when you see them homeless on the side of a street.

Frankly some of these answers make me sick.

Like Chris’s answer: “Get a job, get two, get three. Get a roommate – struggle like everyone else has always done.”

There is no way you could have any free time whatsoever with three jobs. At that point you’re basically a slave. How can anybody be happy working all day, going home, and crashing? It’s pathetic that people think that this is ‘normal’.

Personally I refuse to work more than 25-30 hours a week. Those kinds of weekly working hours are actually pretty common in Europe and Australia. It’s only here in the United States that the minimal norm seems to be around 40 hours.

I’m a 25 year old part time worker, and I’ll be a part time worker until the day I die.

Kicking a HS senior out of the house will cause endless problems for the kid and they’re unlikely to graduate. Great parent who does something like that…

You are a cruel person.

You think that all kids should be booted out by their parents on their 18th birthday?

Just to let you know, many states REQUIRE parents to financially support their kids until HS graduation which usually happens WHEN they are 18….not before. A few states require support until age 21.

Child support orders frequently can extend through college.

You need to quit attacking your idea of out at midnight on 18th birthday. I hope to God you aren’t a parent.

25 and living at home is pretty pathetic. But 18???? No way.

I’m glad to see there are other parents in the same situation I am in. My Son is now 22, moved back home 3 years ago after quitting college. He refuses to find work, does what he wants, and eats what he wants. Periodically he’ll pitch in for some food, clean only his room and do the dishes from time to time. He makes money off the internet but not enough to make it on his own. A few times during the week he’ll go out with his friends. As much as I love him he is driving me / us crazy. I’ve asked, told and threatened to throw him out but he just ignores my requests. I’ve asked him numerous times to help with the bills and pay a monthly room and board charge but he just refuses. Any time his Mom or I bring up the subject he looses his temper and starts screaming. This usually turns into a battle between the two of us with his mother getting between him and I. I’ve gotten to the point that he needs to leave but I don’t know how to make it happen. Giving a deadline did not work. He only forced my hands knowing I had no good way to keep him out. His Mom does not have the strength to support my reasoning.
When he moved back in 3 years ago he was depressed and lost, I’ll admit I gave him and continue to give him a hard time. I continue to push him to get work and get a place to live but he has learned how to avoid me by sleeping while I am home from work. I’ve watched him suffer through his depression. It took him over a year to get it together, numerous doctor visits, different med’s and finally he found some relief through exercise and eating properly. But these past 3 years have been turmoil for everyone in the family. His refusal to move on with his life just makes me frustrated. I was brought up to be independent. If my parents needed anything I was and still am there to help, and I’ve tried to convey this onto my children the best I could. My independence is what drove me to become a professional with an opportunity to retire at 45. But my son just lives his life as if he had no worries in the world. Parked in front of the computer, making his own meals (refuses to eat with us), out at night with his friends, up until 7am and sleeping all day. I can write a chapter on this subject but I guess it will have to wait.

I only want to see my son succeed in life. I love him dearly and miss the togetherness we shared before college. I can only hope.

Anyone reading this… Thanks for listening.

I told all my kids starting around 14 years old that when they got their license we would pay their car insurance until they turned 18. If they got a ticket or in an accident before they turned 18, they would have the choice of

1. Quit driving
2. Get a part time job and pay their own insurance.

we also told them at the age of 18 they had a to get a part time job to pay for car insurance and take over their cell phone bill regardless of their situation. We also told them they had a choice to make when they graduated high school.

1.Go to college full time and we will pay for it.

2.Get a full time job and pay rent.

You think this would seem like a fair deal or whatever you want to call it, right? My 21 and 20 year old kids don’t think so.

I don’t get it nothing changed from the time they started school at five years old until they turned 18. They were required to bathe,clean their room, go to school, do household chores. No smoking,drinking or drugs were allowed and to always let someone know where you were going to be, (for safety and common courtesy reasons)In my house the same simple rules apply after the age of 18, honestly please tell me if this is an unreasonable request?

My ungrateful selfish childish kids would rather pass up the opportunity given to them for some unknown reason.

I notice (childish), as a key word here. Kids just don’t get that all we do as parents is try to make life as easy as possible for our kids.

I would have talks with my kids, that we are trying to send them on the safest, fastest, easiest path to get their life started. I feel we are good parents and built a good strong foundation and I hope they end up at the same destination even though they decided to take the long winding road.

So this final comment is for the kids and young adults out there, May your parents haven’t worded everything to your liking, but I hope you read these comments from the kids that took advantage of their opportunity and listen to how other parents handle their house hold so you can see we all want the same out come. I am waiting for he day kids realize and believe that their parents are the only people who would never put them on the wrong path. Please comment! I know most kids wont listen to their own parents, they always seem to trust someone elses’ opinion even if it is another parent I hope I got through to someone today

good luck and god bless all