My daughter is VERY independent. She's 36. I had to give her $200 to get her through when her waitress job was real slow and she was transferring to going into her full time LVN job. That's the first time in about a year she's asked for money. However, every now and then I send $25.00 here, $10 there when I can and I know she appreciates it. I ALWAYS, buy my grandkids clothes to help start the school year out, Christmas, birthdays, and I buy presents on special holidays as well. Not because I HAVE to but because I love them and I KNOW she appreciates it. Plus, no one EVER did it for me. EVER. I was a single mom for years and no one lifted a finger to EVER help with not even a meal I was totally on my own and I never asked for a penny. I told my daughter NOT to pay me back. She's my daughter I love her. I said if anything save the money up for a computer with a web cam so I can see my grand kids when you get the money, that's more precious to me then all the money in the world. I KNEW it took everything in her being to ask for that $200 bucks and it killed her. BUT, I'm her mom.
However, IF she did it all the time I'd question it, but she doesn't so I don't. I respect her and I know she respects me. I think that's the way it should be. I don't think parents should be paying for cell phone bills though, personally. IF you let your cell phone go over or due which is a LUXURY then so be it, USE A PAY PHONE for criminy sakes or do what we had to do, wait till you got home and use a land line. It can't be that dang important. Just imo... TJ