Young, Underemployed and Optimistic

February 12, 2012

While the recession has left a lasting mark on most Americans, no group has been more impacted than our adult children, according to a new Pew Center study. A plurality of Americans believes that our 20- and 30-something children are having a harder time hitting the traditional markers of adulthood: starting a career, paying off [...]

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Adult Children Have Feelings Too

February 6, 2012

The Answer Mom, Helen Oxenberg, MSW, tackles thorny topics: whiny adult children, wedding troubles, and grandchildren’s eating habits.  Dear Answer Mom: My adult son called me recently and told me how angry he felt because a mutual acquaintance didn’t thank him for a small favor he did. I told my son he was wrong to [...]

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We’re Back!

January 30, 2012

After an extended winter break, Mothering 21 is back with a new publishing schedule.  On Mondays, as previously, we’ll post an article, interview, commentary or guest column. On Wednesdays, we’ll be posting the “Weekly Reader” on our new Facebook page, so please friend us if you haven’t already. http://www.facebook.com/mothering21 Occasionally, we’ll also send out Tweets so please follow us there too: https://twitter.com/#!/mothering21

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Paying for Harry Potter
to bond with my daughter

January 30, 2012

We all treasure the opportunity to spend extended time with our adult children, and that often means cramming an outing into their busy schedules or providing a feathered nest into which they can occasionally escape. And sometimes, although it will cost you, the bonding makes it worth the expense. Last month I wanted to plan [...]

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Weekly Reader 2.1.12

January 29, 2012

Adult Child Deduction? Tax time is upon us and as you go to check that “dependent” box, you may feel tempted to include the boomerang young adult who you’ve been supporting over the past year.  The amount is considerable as each dependent reduces your taxable income by $3,700. Is that allowable? Like with many tax [...]

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The Last Tuition Check

December 11, 2011

Financial advisors tell us that the two biggest “raises” baby-boomer parents  ever get are when we pay (a) off the mortgage, and (b) make the final tuition payment. So I should have been cheering as I wrote that last check a few days ago, right?  Instead,  I cried. True, part of me was thrilled to [...]

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What to do about a son’s affair…and more!

December 11, 2011

Dear Answer Mom: My son is 25. He got involved with an older woman and had an affair with her. Now he wants out of it but she won’t leave him alone. He’s living at home with me now since he lost his job and he’s trying to save money. She keeps calling him. Every [...]

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Weekly Reader 12.12.11

December 11, 2011

Stuck on Repeat? I missed my train the other day so I passed time with a favorite activity: people watching.  One thing I noticed was how many of the commuters—at least the business types–were similarly attired.  Men, of course, have their uniform of dress pants and shirt or suit and tie. The women too—ranging of [...]

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Burnout at 30?

December 5, 2011

“Everything Old Is New Again” That Peter Allen song resonates with surprising frequency in the digital 21st century. Most recently because of a Forbes magazine article, “Why Millennial Women Are Burning Out At Work By 30.” About a decade ago, I wrote a book, with co-author Loretta Kaufman, about mid-30-something moms who left demanding careers [...]

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Weekly Reader 12.5.11

December 5, 2011

Good Night iPad One of the many wonderful aspects of being a grandparent is that you get to read all those great children’s classics again. One of my personal favorites is “Goodnight Moon. ” Considering how technology has taken over our lives, it’s amazing that we even have hardcover books left. We’ve all witnessed the [...]

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