I was just posting this in a positive out look to the original title. Myself I have been on my own since 16. I have always worked. Whether to buy school clothes and later to support myself. Father was surprised how much I made when I asked for emancipation. It has been a life of work to provide for wife and kids but I would not have it any other way.
Wife and I feel today that we should have provided less to our kids and they may have been better off today. But what's done is done.
I guess my folks had it right and I should have required my kids to work a bit more than I did. They are good kids, just not as hard working or ambitious I we feel they should be.