In the perpetual child syndrome, a person may be financially on his own, but he 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 eats many meals there. He is Mom or Dad’s closest confidant, sharing “everything” with them. At thirty-something, he hasn’t found his career niche, and he has no savings, no retirement plan, and no health insurance. On the surface these things may not appear to be serious problems. But often Mom and Dad are symbolically keeping their adult
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