I can not wait for the economice collapse. I live in Chelsea inb Manhattan, I made a fortune in 1999 selling bogus stocks to some "humps". I plan to capitalize on their misseries when many parents will have to shell out money from their 401Ks to prevent little Sarah from becoming homeless with banged up credit. Maybe she can "rent out" something she "owns" for supplemental income, LOL!

Parents will justify anything for their children. When I heard the story my friend had all the answers but love makes you to strange things. Times are hard and people will make the choice that's best for them. As for me my children are supporting me so I understand. Alot of things will change with this Bush recession, and if McCain gets in office it will be worse. Would anyone care what color a person is if he/she saves your life?

I saw the piece on the Nightly News tonight with Lester Holt; This story needs to be told and my wife
and I found it very relative to our situation also.
Our 21 yr. old son and 25 yr.old daughter, fiance' and their 1 yr. old daughter live with us in a 3-BR
apartment in Jacksonville,Fl.
I could write a volume of words about the good, bad
and ugly situations we have faced and tried to help
each other with, but instead, let me just state, that
we are going to see that this will become the rule rather than the exception and our retirement dreams
can be on hold for some time as far as the big ones,
due to the war no one will admit (Republicans mostly)
that has affected our country financially and even
our family situations. The families who have loved ones fighting the war really have to sacrifice their
plans and more, sometimes the lives of their children
for the country whose leaders chose to make the invasion of Iraq a long term war, and ignore the announced "end" of it soon after the US forces went in.  
In our case, we just want to help them get a starting
or stepping stone to a better chance of building their lives in our present economic uncertainty, and
their insecurities really since 9/11.  America is not
the same place it was before that day!  We see homes
being left by families with children after foreclosure, banks and financial institutions closing,
crime increasing sharply, and benefits such as insurance fading from workers' jobs, sometimes the jobs are lost altogether.  We are blessed to be able to help them. They give us pleasure, such as our little granddaughter who we help keep and enjoy too.
It may be corny, but it seems like a little like the
Waltons, Ha.  No, It's 2008 and I am afraid more families should not be too proud, and critical but remember that during our country's depression in the
thirties, without families sticking and helping together, our country and people could not have recovered.  We cannot ignore past history and its lessons. Just as with Viet Nam. But, it is what it is... and we seem to be adjusting as best as we can.
Retirement would be a lot less fulfilling if we ignored our children, although grown with their needs;
It isn't Easy, but It Is not a trend that will go away soon.  In many ways, it makes us better. Take a
day trip in a small, not thirsty car...show your grandchildren someplace they will remember in a memory
later that will be your legacy.

Regarding this feature: Could you have used a better example for the issue of financial needs between generations, which is no doubt a very serious issue for some people? I just didn't feel a strong sense of empathy for Nancy.  And could you consider what your choice of words is really communicating? First, quit referring to active bicycling pre-retirees as "older" Americans. It is patronizing. Second, look at the entitlement/victim mentality of phrases used throughout -"she thought by now, at age 54, she would surely be able to retire" "assuming the (financial) responsibility for our children" and "the only thing you can do..." The tone of the whole feature was whiny to me.  If I was one of her adult children, I would be embarassed. I daresay that 99% of your viewers who have lived long enough to experience a serious problem in life had this response to the feature. Let's put this in a different perspective. Nancy is age 54, a decade from traditional full retirement age (when life expectancies were much shorter) She has a professional job (no doubt with medical insurance), a family to love, reported friends to talk with, apparent waterfront property. She does have choices about her actions, lifestyle, and emotional responses, contrary to what was conveyed. We all love our kids. Give a legacy to them by demonstrating a grateful, contented lifestyle, with a side benefit of reducing her own anxiety.  Provide emotional support with confidence in them and encouragement. Deal with reality and move forward. Economic cycles happen. The kids' business didn't go as planned. It's not like they became permanently disabled, with a  problem that isn't going to go away, and can never recoup. Okay, so Nancy, her husband, and the adult children need to make adjustments. Who doesn't throughout life? Where did they get the idea that life is going to go according to plan?

I am glad that the story aired.  It is nice (but sad) to know that my husband and I are not the only ones helping out their adult children.  Times are hard...EVERYONE is struggling.  Seeing the story made my burden seem less heavy.  

I was compelled to watch the segment about the couple supporting their adult children who lost their construction business.  I too have been supporting one of my daughters who became divorced 2 years ago when her x decided he no longer wanted to be married.  With 2 children, a failed business due to her x's lack of support and a house that they could no longer afford, she is now in much debt.  I am a widow and am trying to do my best at 60 to keep up with the corporate world that employs me.  Yes, I could put more money into my 401k to "catch up", but the monies have been much needed for my daughter and grandchildren where child support and the job market aren't behaving very well lately.  I, too, feel, "one must do what  they need to do.". for now.  I pray this is only temporary and am very thankful that I have a job and am able to give support.  I hope I am doing the right thing and also hope I can keep my job.  Those are my two cents.  Thanks for letting me share.

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