Is your adult child actually becoming more independent—or has the level of parental support and responsibility remained mostly the same?

This educational self-assessment helps parents look beyond milestones such as moving out, earning a certain income, or no longer needing financial help and examine whether their adult child is gradually taking greater ownership of their life. You’ll explore progress in areas such as money, work or education, household contribution, appointments, decision-making, problem-solving, emotional responsibility, future planning, and handling consequences.

Based on concepts explored in They’re Home… Now What? — Parenting After College, this guide helps parents distinguish between an adult child who is receiving support while actively building independence and one whose responsibilities continue returning to the parent with little movement over time. It also examines how parents can remain supportive while creating enough room for adult children to practice the skills and responsibilities they need.

Includes education, real-life examples, a self-assessment with score interpretation, practical exercises, and reflection questions to help you recognize where your adult child is making progress, where responsibility may have stopped shifting, and whether current support is helping build greater independence over time.