7 Things Adult Missourians Do That Take Advantage of Their Parents

Look, we love our kids. We really do. But at some point, being a parent stops meaning “24/7 unpaid service provider” and starts meaning “Hey, maybe I should get to enjoy my own life too.”

Unfortunately, a whole lot of Missouri kids—and those across the United States—these days don’t seem to have gotten that memo.

Whether it’s expecting free housing, endless financial bailouts, or just assuming we exist to make their lives easier, plenty of grown-ups are taking advantage of Mom and Dad—and it’s getting old.

Using Parents as Free Babysitters

Let’s get one thing straight: grandparents love their grandkids. But loving them and wanting to be an unpaid, full-time nanny are two very different things.

Too many parents just assume that because Mom and Dad are retired (or just exist), they’re automatically available for unlimited babysitting.

Newsflash: We raised our kids already. We did the sleepless nights, the tantrums, the constant diaper changes.

Now? We’d like to enjoy our free time without being guilt-tripped into unpaid childcare.

Watching the grandkids every now and then? Totally reasonable.

Being expected to drop everything every time you need a night out or can’t afford daycare? Not cool.

If you need help, ask—but don’t assume. And maybe offer to pay every once in a while, because guess what? Childcare is work.

Living at Home Without Chipping In

It’s one thing to move back home when times are tough. It’s another thing to treat your parents’ house like a free Airbnb with laundry service.

These days, a shocking number of young adults—around 45% of people aged 18 to 29—are still living at home. Fine, life is expensive.

But what’s not fine? That 61% of those kids aren’t contributing a dime to household expenses (source).

Look, if you’re old enough to vote, you’re old enough to pay rent (or at least cover your own groceries). Your parents have worked hard for their home—they shouldn’t have to subsidize your takeout habit and WiFi bill, too.

If you need a place to stay, great. But act like an adult and pitch in.

Not Respecting Parents’ Time and Boundaries

You know what happens when you finally reach a stage in life where you have time for yourself? Your adult kids assume you have nothing but time for them.

They call at all hours needing favors, dump last-minute plans on you, or just expect you to drop everything whenever they have a minor crisis.

Parents are people, too. We have our own schedules, hobbies, and—shocking, I know—lives.

It’s not that we don’t want to help, but we also don’t want to be treated like on-demand assistants. If you need something, ask. If it’s not urgent, plan ahead.

And for the love of all that is good, don’t assume we’re just sitting around waiting to serve you.

Treating Parents Like a Personal ATM

Guess what? Most parents aren’t made of money. But a whole lot of adult kids seem to think otherwise.

Nearly half of all parents (47%) are still financially supporting at least one of their grown children. And that’s not just the occasional “Hey, I need help with a medical bill.”

We’re talking groceries, rent, car payments, and sometimes even streaming services (yes, we see you still mooching off the Netflix account).

Worst part?

A staggering 58% of parents say they’ve had to dip into their own savings or delay retirement because of their kids’ financial needs.

Imagine working your whole life, dreaming of a peaceful retirement, only to realize you’re still paying for someone else’s cell phone plan at 65.

It’s time for young grown-ups to start managing their own wallets.

Leaving Parents With Pets They Can’t Handle

Young adult wants a puppy. Parents advise against it. Young person insists they’ll take care of it.

Fast-forward six months, and who’s walking, feeding, and paying the vet bills for a dog they never wanted?

You guessed it—the parents.

Too many adult children adopt pets, realize they’re a lot of work, and then conveniently “forget” to take care of them.

Even worse? Some move out and just leave their pets behind with Mom and Dad without asking if they’re okay with it.

Pets are a commitment, not a phase. If you’re old enough to get one, you’re old enough to take care of it. Parents aren’t a free pet-sitting service for the next decade.

Assuming They’re Getting an Inheritance (and Acting Like It’s Theirs Already)

Have you ever heard an adult child say something like, “Well, when you’re gone, I’ll just sell the house”?

Excuse me?

First of all, we’re still here.

Second, that money?

It’s ours. And we might just spend it all on a luxury cruise out of spite.

Planning for the future is smart, but counting on your parents’ money before they’re even gone is beyond rude.

Some kids even get pushy about it, subtly (or not so subtly) hinting that their parents should “be smart” with their estate planning—meaning, of course, they should save every penny for their kids instead of enjoying their own golden years.

Listen, if there’s an inheritance, great. But nobody is entitled to their parents’ money.

Let us live our lives, spend our money, and maybe—just maybe—focus on making your own fortune instead of waiting on ours.

Forgetting to Return the Favor

We spent decades taking care of our kids. So when the tables turn and we need a little help? Well, it sure would be nice if they returned the favor.

Yet plenty of adult children don’t think twice about letting their aging parents struggle alone.

In 2020, about 4.3 million U.S. parents received voluntary financial support from their adult kids. That’s a fraction of the parents who have given financial support over the years.

And forget about money—sometimes, all we need is a little help around the house, someone to drive us to an appointment, or just a phone call to check in.

Parenting doesn’t come with a debt that needs to be repaid, but it sure would be nice if adult kids recognized that support should go both ways.

A little appreciation (and effort) goes a long way.

Final Thought (Because Parents Deserve One)

Look, we love our kids. But love doesn’t mean being taken advantage of.

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