by Mary Quigley on June 13, 2013
“It’s like a stab in the heart.” That’s how an acquaintance with an unemployed adult child describes feeling when friends tell about their children’s success. And, she related, it leaves her wondering what’s wrong with her child when others seem to be landing jobs.
Those feelings are all too common among baby boomer parents. Often your own emotional state can negatively impact your relationship with your child as you vacillate between wanting to scream at them and smother with hugs.
How can you positively “enable” your unemployed adult child? Career counselor Carol Ross offered several suggestions in an article at NextAvenue.org.
First she suggested backing off: don’t look for a daily update on whether anyone has responded to those resumes sent out. Your child will likely let you know when there’s a response.
What can you do helpful without being overbearing? Ms. Ross writes:
Be sensitive to your child’s need to feel independent, especially with a boomerang adult: Be willing to create a different kind of relationship from the last time your child lived with you, one that will work for both sides. It can be as simple as stating there’s no expectation to eat meals together. [click to continue…]
by Mary Quigley on June 13, 2013
Two years ago my daughter called from college to say that just been diagnosed with a swine flu and was very ill, with a high fever. She wanted to come home; could she travel? Did she need medication? I called the college heath center where she had been diagnosed but because of federal law they were not allowed to give me any specifics on my daughter’s condition without her written approval.
Eventually that situation was easily resolved. But suppose one of my adult children was suddenly incapacitated and need to have critical decisions made about their medical care? As of age 18, our children are responsible for making their own medical and mental health care decisions. Without written permission, parents have no say in the treatment. In fact, because of privacy rules, you could not even get information about their medical condition.
In an excellent article, “Making Critical Care Decisions for Your Young Adult Child,” Michigan attorney Matthew Wallace writes, “The only way that the health care information can be released to you, the parent, is if you have been appointed as a patient advocate by your child or as a guardian by the probate court.”
In case of an accident or sudden illness who will make those critical decisions? To plan for the unexpected, Mr. Wallace suggests getting a “properly drafted durable power of attorney for health care” designating you (or someone else) as a patient advocate who would have access to all medical and mental health care information and make medical and mental health care treatment decisions when your child is unable.
This also brings up the question of other documents like a living will and a financial power of attorney for your child. But, at the very least, the health care power of attorney is a starting point, and your family lawyer can help with that.
“It’s like a stab in the heart.” That’s how an acquaintance with an unemployed adult child describes feeling when friends tell about their children’s success. And, she related, it leaves her wondering what’s wrong with her child when others seem to be landing jobs.
