DEAR AMY: We are retired and have a very small home. Our child, who is close to 50, went through a divorce and told us she was moving back home. She has been with us for almost six months. She does nothing except sit with her laptop all day, every day. She has no job or means of transportation. She refuses to take the bus, taxi or anything but our auto. She has doctors, dental and other medical appointments that we take her to. We are tired of being a chauffeur, cook, house cleaner, etc. When we try to talk to her about a job or plans to find her own living space, she starts shouting, shedding tears, bullying and arguing. What would be your suggestion to help us? We can get nowhere and could use some help. Help us get our home back! 
 --Upset Parents 
 DEAR PARENTS: Your daughter may be depressed and coping with it the only way she knows how, which is to control you. You seem to have willingly turned yourselves over to her. If this is your version of loving her, you should face the tough reality that your love is robbing her of her real strength, which should be used to become a self-sustaining adult. 
 She is emotionally abusing you. The best way to deal with a bully is to stand up to her and calmly dictate your own terms. You and your spouse need to decide to do things differently, and you must be on the same page. Give your daughter a reasonable time frame to get on her feet and a firm deadline to move. Let her know that on this date she will be leaving. If you don't want to take her places and she has somewhere she wishes to go, she'll have to get herself there. 
 You may need to legally evict her. I realize this sounds harsh, but you have to take care of yourselves, and she must find a way to take care of herself. A counselor or family mediator will help you clarify your own intentions. 
 &nbsp; 
 DEAR AMY: "Sad Dad" is experiencing what many divorced fathers of adolescent daughters experience. She is unhappy during visitation at his house because her friends aren't there. He may have to "sweeten the pot" by offering to take her to concerts. He won't be able to talk to her during them, but there is the drive there and back, dinner before and breakfast the next morning. This may be the best he can do for a while. 
 --Voice of Experience 
 DEAR VOICE:I really like your suggestion. Thank you.

DEAR AMY: We are retired and have a very small home. Our child, who is close to 50, went through a divorce and told us she was moving back home. She has been with us for almost six months. She does nothing except sit with her laptop all day, every day. She has no job or means of transportation. She refuses to take the bus, taxi or anything but our auto. She has doctors, dental and other medical appointments that we take her to. We are tired of being a chauffeur, cook, house cleaner, etc. When we try to talk to her about a job or plans to find her own living space, she starts shouting, shedding tears, bullying and arguing. What would be your suggestion to help us? We can get nowhere and could use some help. Help us get our home back! --Upset Parents DEAR PARENTS: Your daughter may be depressed and coping with it the only way she knows how, which is to control you. You seem to have willingly turned yourselves over to her. If this is your version of loving her, you should face the tough reality that your love is robbing her of her real strength, which should be used to become a self-sustaining adult. She is emotionally abusing you. The best way to deal with a bully is to stand up to her and calmly dictate your own terms. You and your spouse need to decide to do things differently, and you must be on the same page. Give your daughter a reasonable time frame to get on her feet and a firm deadline to move. Let her know that on this date she will be leaving. If you don't want to take her places and she has somewhere she wishes to go, she'll have to get herself there. You may need to legally evict her. I realize this sounds harsh, but you have to take care of yourselves, and she must find a way to take care of herself. A counselor or family mediator will help you clarify your own intentions. DEAR AMY: "Sad Dad" is experiencing what many divorced fathers of adolescent daughters experience. She is unhappy during visitation at his house because her friends aren't there. He may have to "sweeten the pot" by offering to take her to concerts. He won't be able to talk to her during them, but there is the drive there and back, dinner before and breakfast the next morning. This may be the best he can do for a while. --Voice of Experience DEAR VOICE:I really like your suggestion. Thank you.

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