Advice for parents of “big kids with even bigger problems”

A bestselling author and television screenwriter, Gail Parent has won two Emmys and was nominated for 12 more for her work on shows ranging from The Golden Girls to Tracey Ullman’s comedy specials. In her new book, How to Raise Your Adult Children, co-authored with psychotherapist Susan Ende, she offers advice to parents of “big kids with even bigger problems.”

Q: Social scientists and demographers now talk about a period of life called “pre-adulthood,” after adolescence but before true financial independence, which often stretches through the late 20s. The reasons it takes so much longer to reach adulthood today are primarily economic: rising costs of a university education, higher housing costs, higher unemployment. What are the effects of all this on parents?
A: We were raised to think our parenting days were over when our kids left home to go to college. But they aren’t. Financially and emotionally, many families don’t separate and adult children don’t achieve true independence. A lot of adult kids are essentially thinking they should still get an allowance—only it should be a big one, big enough to buy a house. And huge numbers of them are moving back in with their parents.

Q: In a recent Pew Research study, 13 per cent of American parents said an adult child had moved home in the past year because of the recession. Obviously, this has implications for the household budget, but what other kinds of issues does it raise for parents?

49 Creative Reuse Ideas That Will Inspire & Surprise You

The Many Amazing Ways to Reuse a Jar:

• 10 Simple Uses for Spaghetti Jars
• Crafty Uses for Baby Food Jars
• Don't Throw Out That Jar! New Uses for Old Jars
• In Praise of the Mason Jar
• How To: Make a Mason Jar Lantern
• Simple Green: Use Empty Food Jars for Your Bulk Items

Other Great Creative Reuse Ideas for Everyday Items:

• 10 Common Thrift Store Finds and Ways to Use Them for DIY Projects
• 20 Creative and Repurposed Kitchen Storage Ideas
• Salvaged Ladder Pot Rack
• How To Make Wine Crate Kitchen Cabinets
• Recycled Soda Bottles for Dish Soap, Oil and Vinegar
• 8 Bathroom Items To Repurpose Around the House
• 5 Things To Do With Bubble Wrap After You Move
• 10 Ways to Reuse Plastic Plant Pots
• 6 New Ways to Use a Cutlery Tray
• Use an Old Mailbox to Store Garden Tools
• 6 Ways to Reuse Bread Tags
• 7 New Ways to Use an Antique Bread Box
• 10 Ways to Repurpose Lightbulbs
• Rescue Stained Textiles with a Cool Graphic Pattern
• Creative Reuse: Flip Your Old Deck Boards
• DIY Idea: Blanket Upholstered Ottomans
• 7 Easy Ways to Reuse a Plank of Wood
• Steal This Idea: Paper Menus-Turned-Take-Away Bags
• Before & After: Mailbox Umbrella Stand
• How To: Make a Recycled Wine Bottle Torch
• 7 Ways to Repurpose an Ice Bucket
• 4 Ways To Reuse Wallpaper
• Look! Garage Door Headboard
• 5 Uses for a Collection of Liquor Glasses
• 5 Favorite Reuses for Wooden Crates
• Roundup: New Takes on Old Doors 
• Look! A Pallet Plate Rack
• Look! Vintage Tea Cups Make Great Storage
• Clipboards for Hanging Artwork
• 10 Ways to Reuse a Card Catalog

Inspirational Creative Reuse:

• Ref-Use Turns Wood Scraps Into Furniture
• 15 Repurposed, Upcycled and DIY Storage Ideas
• Upcycling Thrift Store Dishes
• Cool Cabinets Built from Recycled Gym Flooring
• DIY Artwork: Frame an Everyday Object
• Vintage Airline Food Carts by Flight 001
• Recycled Carhood Tables
• Inspiration: The Dram Tumbler Lamp by Propellor
• Furniture Made of Old Airplanes and Fighter Jets
• Dumpsters Turned Swimming Pools! 
• Creative Reuse: Toothpicks Turned Lampshade
• T.O.M.T: Refitting the Planet
• Wine Bottle Recycled Shelving from Zero-Wa

Trial and Error: Re-Creating Restaurant Sweet Potato Fries

Really good sweet potato fries are a surprisingly difficult thing to achieve. Even in restaurants, they often arrive limp, soggy, and the exact opposite crispy. We’ve tried high-heat baking, frying, soaking the cut pieces in cold water, starting with a hot baking sheet, and a dozens of other little tweaks and inventions in our pursuit of a better sweet potato fry at home.

With this technique of parboiling and tossing with salt, we feel like we’re getting close. We sliced the sweet potatoes into wedges and boiled them for just two minutes to soften the outsides. A quick shake with kosher salt and olive oil, and into the oven they went.

At first, we were disappointed. The fries didn’t brown as much as we would have liked. The outsides felt dry, but didn't get truly crispy.

The real difference was in the texture. Sweet potato fries often end up with a mushy texture on the inside, but these sweet potatoes felt firm and had a nice bite. We could dunk them in the dipping sauce without worrying that they were going to break off or be too limp to scoop anything up.

These were really the closest to restaurant fries we’ve ever gotten. We can’t wait to try it again and combine the technique with others we’ve tried in the past. We think that pre-heating the baking sheet and possibly adding an egg white (or panko crumbs?!) along with the olive oil and salt during the tossing step could get us even closer to perfection.

Have any of you had success with making crispy sweet potato fries at home?

Close-to-Restaurant Sweet Potato Fries
Serves 4 as an appetizer

2 medium-sized sweet potatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Pre-heat the oven to 450°.

Cut the sweet potatoes into fry-sized wedges. Place them in a sauce pot with one tablespoon of kosher salt and enough water to cover. Cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cook uncovered for two minutes until the potatoes are soft on the outside but still firm in the middle. Drain immediately.

Combine the drained sweet potatoes, one teaspoon of kosher salt, and one tablespoon of olive oil in a mixing bowl. Cover with an inverted dinner plate and shake to roughen up the sides of the sweet potatoes.

Spread the sweet potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes and then flip the potatoes. Bake for another 5-7 minutes, until the potatoes are dry to the touch and brown in some places.

Eat as soon as they’re cool enough to handle!

10 inexpensive fixes that increase property value

Remodels are great, but can get pretty pricey. Not everyone has thousands to add value to their home - but what about those less glamorous repair projects on your to-do list? These simple and inexpensive maintenance items don't seem like they add to your home's value, but they're big money-savers in the long run.

1. Caulk

If you've lived in your house a few years, you probably noticed that the caulk along your sinks, countertops and bathtub is coming loose. These gaps may not seem like a big deal, but they can wreak havoc inside your walls. Moisture causes mold and even leaks - expensive repairs that can easily be prevented. A tube of kitchen and bath caulk costs just a few dollars, and you'll avoid expensive repairs.

2. Insulate

The quickest way to save money on your energy bill is to insulate, yet so many of us overlook this simple home improvement project for its benefits. Sure, your walls are insulated, but what about your basement, your attic, and your garage? Just in case the energy cost savings aren't enticing enough for you, check with the government - there are current credits that allow you to deduct this energy-saving expense from your taxes.

3. Change Filters

When was the last time you changed your furnace's air filters? It's an oft-overlooked chore, but one that keep your furnace running efficiently, and improves the air quality inside your home. Change your filters at least every three months to keep your furnace working efficiently for years to come.

More from Inves4. Install a Thermostat

Does your home have a programmable thermostat? If not, invest in one; it'll earn its money back in no time. By programming heating and cooling, you avoid paying to keep an empty house at a comfortable temperature. Manage the heat appropriately in winter to avoid burst water pipes; in summer, draw your curtains during the day to keep the house cool. Buy a programmable thermostat and you can save big on monthly bills.

5. Fix Leaks

That leaky faucet or runny toilet is draining your water bill, and in most cases it's a cheap and quick fix. Replace the washer on your faucet, and while you're at it, consider installing a faucet aerator if yours doesn't already have one. Faucet aerators reduce water flow from your faucet to save on your water bill; check your home improvement store for this inexpensive fix.

6. Install Dimmers

Dimmers aren't just for romance; they can save you big bucks on your energy bill. They're cheap and easy to install, so look for rooms that could use a little reduction in harsh lighting. While you're at it, replace your light bulbs with energy-efficient ones. They're big money savers.

Thinking of renova Doing home7. Clean Carpets

Clean your carpet lately? With proper care, carpets can last a long time and look great, but everyone needs to clean them sometime. You don't need to hire an expensive service either - if you can vacuum, you can clean your carpets by yourself. Rent a carpet cleaner at your local supermarket or big-box store for a modest fee. Make sure you vacuum thoroughly before cleaning, and pick a dry day so your carpet dries quickly. With regular cleaning your carpet can last a long time, saving you big bucks on new flooring.

8. Clean Siding and Windows

Windows and siding get a beating in most climates. Wash your windows and siding with a simple hose and water first, and with a cleaning solution as needed; your home improvement store sells specialty products for just this kind of job. Rent a power washer for very dirty jobs. Keep an eye on cobwebs, wasp and bird nests to ensure your home's exterior stays in good shape. Touch up with paint as needed, and your house will look like new at little or no cost. (Some renovations will mean a bigger sale price on your home, while others will just cost you.

9. Fight Pests

Those spiders and ants at your foundation, that mouse nest in your crawl space? Take care of it - pests can destroy a home in a hurry. Hire an exterminator, or for small pests, combat with pesticides. Even if you don't think you have a problem, inspect every part of the interior and exterior of your home regularly to avoid small pest problems getting out hand.

10. Clean Ductwork

If your home is older, your ductwork likely has dust, grime, and other unwelcome residue inside. For big jobs, pay a professional; a simple cleaning can easily be done yourself. Simply remove the grates from your air vents, and clean the inside with your vacuum.

The Bottom Line

The best way to invest in your home is to take good care of what's already there. With these simple repair jobs, you'll even save money - with just a little elbow grease as investment.