Parents share struggles supporting adult children not in work or study
7 reported
A series of letters published by The Guardian on July 8, 2026, responds to an earlier letter about parents of children not in employment, education, or training (Neet). One parent of a neurodivergent late-teenager describes the daunting prospect of their child’s entry into adulthood, noting the child struggles with social communication and relationships beyond the family. Another set of parents report having two sons in their early 20s with very different life experiences; their younger son is Neet and after six years of self-isolation is only now beginning to engage with a counsellor, whom they pay for because they can afford it. They state they had no support from school or other services because the son refused to engage, and they were fined for non-attendance at school. A third parent describes a daughter who engaged tentatively with support but stopped attending college after three months, and now spends her days reading, online gaming, and isolating herself. A fourth letter from Coleraine, Northern Ireland, notes that when young people move from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs) to adult mental health services, parents are often left out of communications about their children’s emotional wellbeing after age 18.
What’s reported
The letters were published in The Guardian on July 8, 2026, in response to a letter from July 3, 2026.
One parent describes a neurodivergent late-teenager who struggles with social communication and making relationships beyond the family.
Another set of parents have two sons in their early 20s; the younger son is Neet and after six years of self-isolation is now engaging with a counsellor they pay for.
These parents were fined for non-attendance at school and had no support from school or other services because the son refused to engage.
A third parent reports a daughter who enrolled in a college course on small animal care but stopped attending after three months following an operation.
The daughter sees an occupational therapist once a week but initial enthusiasm for activities fades.
A letter from Shauna M Faith-Crothers in Coleraine, Northern Ireland, states parents are often left out of communications when young people move from Camhs to adult mental health services after age 18.
Key figures
Shauna M Faith-Crothers (letter writer from Coleraine, Northern Ireland)
Three other letter writers identified only as "Name and address supplied"
Sources: The Guardian
