Will my daughter EVER leave home?

Don’t get me wrong, I adore my kids, but my middle one (aged 26) doesn’t have any motivation to move out. My youngest is 23 and living with her boyfriend, and I think it’s time for her big sister to spread her wings! If I talk about it, she says, ‘You don’t understand how hard it is, Mum.’ It’s a struggle financially for youngsters these days, but her lack of motivation troubles me. I’m at the end of my tether. What should I do about this?

Dorothy, Belfast

I do understand where your daughter and other young people are coming from – including some of my own grandchildren. You compare your older daughter with her younger sister, who is living with her boyfriend. But, let’s face it, we all fall in love at different times. In terms of motivation, encourage her to save towards a deposit for a flat/house – a more gentle approach than confronting her head-on.