skeeter-This is an important topic. Many mothers sabotage their own kids, forcing their own fears upon their offspring. My mother tried to, and sometimes succeeded, in doing this to me, but I got out of the house. I never did get the education I wanted, but did end up with a decent job in law enforcement.
Since having my own kids, I have established time thresholds for them to be out of the house and on their own, telling them by the age of 23, they WILL be out, living their own lives. My teenager wants to move to an expensive, tropical area. Many who hear of his plans pooh pooh him, including my mother, but I keep telling him to go for it. Get an apartment there and look for room mates, find a niche not being filled very well job wise, get as much education as you possibly can.
It is always sad to see people leading stunted lives. Kids need to make mistakes to grow into strong adults. Parents need to let their kids fail sometimes and not pick up the pieces for them.
There are occasions when an adult child may need to temporarily live with the parents i.e., house fire, health, downsizing...but don't make your adult kid dependent on you, and adult kids, don't let your parents make you dependent on them...live you own life...get out of the house.