This particular circumstance can be a real nightmare.

Sometimes even with the best of intentions, meddling parents cause more trouble than they're trying (supposedly) to help mend!

It can turn into a real mess when a parent is overly involved in their child's life. It can lead to emotional problems if it is initiated at a young age. The child may resort to secretive unhealthy behavior as a way to escape a controlling parent. (Remember Norman Bates?) Who wants a serial killer for a kid?

Other dangers include alienating yourself from your child and any family he/she may have. Once your child is out of your home you should respect that they have started their own lives. If there are problems in your child's house, let your child deal with it.

Becoming involved is a recipe for disaster. If your child calls you to badmouth their spouse, it is a much wiser move to say something like "That's something for you two to work out," because chances are they will tell their spouse later what your advice was.

As a parent, you probably want the best for your child. The best thing is to let them live their own lives. That is how character is formed.

Of course, if it is a dangerous situation and an intervention is necessary you may want to seek professional help for those involved.

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