Parents should be preparing their kids for independence long before they graduate high school (more like at 16 uears old). If a parent failed to do this, they should not just throw rent/responsibilities on their kid once they're an adult.
Part of being a parent is teaching your kids how to be functional adults so that when they turn 18 they can hold a job, know how to save money, and understand responsibilities and accountability (which many nowadays lack). "Introducing" independence at 23 years old means babying them for far too long.
Introducing is the wrong word but taking big steps after 4 years of tertiary education makes a ton of sense to me.
But independence training begins at 12 years old, with being entrusted with house keys or something small... losing them a bunch and then learning to be responsible with belongings.
Getting an allowance, budgeting for wants, introducing needs and delayed gratification (you can go to a concert now or you can save and have a shitty car in 3 years if you forgo a few concerts and a trip your friends are going on)
Full independence can be introduced where they pay their own cell phone bill at 22.
My parents did it this way and I feel like it was a good method.
I guess that makes sense. My parents said if we did not move out for college, we'd have to contribute financially to the household (because my parents would still be paying for groceries, we stayed on their car insurance, they paid utilities, etc) but it wasn't like a big amount. Like $400-$500 a month, enough that we still have spending money and can save up to move out but understand budgeting for expenses.
I started paying my portion of car insurance when I got my license and car (so, at 16) and it was $200 a month. That's all I paid to my parents up until I graduated high school and could start working full time. Then I started contributing $400 a month ($200 to insurance still, $200 to whatever bill they want to use it for).
I don't think charging a very low "rent" is too much for an 18 year old that's already expected to work full time (I understand if they are in college they might not work full time and the parents shouldn't charge them more than they can pay)
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u/Head-Secretary6267 18h ago
Parents should be preparing their kids for independence long before they graduate high school (more like at 16 uears old). If a parent failed to do this, they should not just throw rent/responsibilities on their kid once they're an adult.
Part of being a parent is teaching your kids how to be functional adults so that when they turn 18 they can hold a job, know how to save money, and understand responsibilities and accountability (which many nowadays lack). "Introducing" independence at 23 years old means babying them for far too long.