Dear Abby: After 15 years, how many more times do I rescue my daughter before I’m just enabling her?

An advice column query features a widowed mother seeking guidance regarding her adult daughter's ongoing financial irresponsibility and instability. The mother, who lost her husband 15 years ago, is a caregiver to her daughter and two grandsons, struggling to determine the boundary between supporting family and enabling chronic irresponsibility.

The situation involves a complex family dynamic spanning a decade and a half, originating around the time of the husband's death when the household included the daughter and an initial grandson, with a second grandson born later. The central dilemma revolves around whether to continue rescuing the daughter or to set firm boundaries, such as refusing a proposed move-in arrangement.

The dilemma highlights common familial tensions surrounding codependency, elder support, and the limits of parental assistance for adult children. The widespread syndication of the advice column reflects the broad public resonance of navigating long-term support versus enabling behavior within families.