Ask a Therapist: Am I Obligated to Help My Adult Daughter?

We think she takes advantage of our generosity but are afraid what will happen to her if we don't pitch in. What should we do?

By Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief Top of Mind Ask a Therapist: Am I Obligated to Help My Adult Daughter?   Every other week, I answer reader questions about mental health, mental strength, relationships, and anything psychology related.    Many of the questions I receive revolve around family and whether there's an obligation to help family members. Family members often want to pitch in but worry about crossing the line into enabling. They also ask how to give more without being resentful.    These are the same questions many people have asked in my therapy office over the years. It's tough to say no to family. And it's important to ensure the help you're giving is actually helping someone.   This week, I respond to parents who want to support their adult daughter who is a single mom, but they feel like they're being taken advantage of.     Here's this week's question:    My adult daughter thinks my husband and I are obligated to help her because she is a single mom. But, no matter how much money we give her or how much time we spend watching the kids for free, she insists we don't do enough for her. We think she takes advantage of our generosity but are afraid what will happen to her if we don't pitch in. What should we do? —Marion, 64   Check out my answer here.  Have a Question for Me?   Every other week, I answer reader questions about psychology, therapy, social situations, and mental health issues. If you have a question you'd like me to consider, submit it here. Read These Next Are Your Friends Emotionally Draining? READ NOW 7 Things to Do If You Feel Unappreciated READ NOW Global Study Suggests Generosity May Help Us Live Longer READ NOW Spread the Light Share the newsletter with someone you know to make their day a little brighter. SHARE We're open to suggestions! If you have any feedback about this newsletter, let us know at feedback@verywell.com.     You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Healthy Mind newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. If someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here!   A DOTDASH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2021 Verywellmind.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy