In the perpetual child syndrome, a person may be financially on his own, but allows his family of origin to perform certain life management functions. This adult child often hangs out at Mom and Dad's house, vacations with them, drops off laundry, and eatsd many meals there. He is Mom or Dad's closest confidant, sharing "everything" with them. At thirtysomething, he hasn't found his career niche, and he has no savings, no retirement plan, and no health insurance. On the surface these things do not appear to be serious problems. But often, Mom and Dad are symbolically keeping their adult child from emotionally leaving home. This often happens in friendly, loving families, where things are so nice that it's hard to leave. (Psychologists often refer to this as the "enmeshed family, " one in which the children do not separate with clear boundaries.) It does not look like a problem, because everyone gets along so well. The family is very happy with one another.

However, the adult children's other relationships may be dyusfunctional. They may choose "black sheep" friends and lovers. They may be unable to commit to a member of the opposite sex or to a career. Often their finances are a problem. They have large and multiple credit card balances and are usually behind on their taxes. Although they may be earning their own way daiy, they never think about the future. This is essentially an adolescent financial life. Adolescents make enough money to buy a surfboard, stereo, or dress, but do not think past the immediate present to the future. Did I make enough money for the pleasures of this weekend? Adolescents --- and adult children who have not separated from their parents --- are still under parental protection, and it's a parents job to think about the future.