When your young adult is living at home and seems stuck, it's one of the hardest things a parent can face. After years of making sure homework gets done, carpooling to practices, and helping your child reach for every opportunity, it’s heartbreaking to watch your capable young adult seem lost, unmotivated, or uninterested in building their life.

Whether your child struggled through school and needed support or was once self-driven and ambitious, seeing them spin their wheels can leave parents feeling helpless. And while that feeling is miserable, it’s important to remember that the next steps must come from them. Here's how to stay grounded, connected, and effective—even when progress feels slow.

If your young adult isn’t engaged in work, education, or a treatment program addressing the barriers to independence, it’s time to bring in professional help. As unhappy as you may feel as a parent, they are often more unhappy—stuck in confusion, shame, or fear.

It’s human nature to move toward independence and autonomy. When that drive stalls, it usually means something deeper is in the way—anxiety, depression,

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