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The intense time in which everything revolves around the well-being of the children is slowly coming to an end. The more grown-up the offspring become, the more personal freedom returns. There is more space for relationships and friends, for hobbies and leisure activities. Of course, you will be happy about the independence you have regained, but there may also be a little bit of melancholy when the children become more and more independent and eventually move out of home completely. When the children finally leave home, family life will change significantly. It may even feel like a new beginning. For many parents, it's a time to look back and reflect. Didn't our son just start school? Did I prepare my daughter well enough for her independent life? What was our relationship like before we had children? The new role of parent requires a rethink and letting go of previous responsibilities. Feelings such as insecurity, anxiety, empty nest syndrome, but also joy and excitement about many new possibilities can arise. Now is the time to rediscover everyday life together. Here you will find ideas and suggestions on how you can shape this next phase of your life and nurture your relationship with your adult child.

A trusting relationship with your children is important to parents, even as they gradually grow up and become more independent. Although young people are legally of age at 18, their development is far from complete. The transition to adulthood cannot be limited to a specific age, but is a very individual process. Parents continue to play an important role in the lives of their growing children. Mothers and fathers remain important contacts in the family relationship when it comes to good advice and decision-making support, even if their role as parents changes significantly. The development of young people is a multi-layered process that encompasses various aspects: their own personality, social skills and professional inclinations. How can parents support their children in this development process? How much room for self-development is right? How much influence is necessary and right? And how can parents remain a reliable source of advice when their adult offspring have their own experiences and have to overcome challenges? A lot is going on with young adults at this stage of their lives. Some young adults want to try out lots of things in their new-found freedom, while others don't quite know what to do with themselves. Read here how you can accompany your child on the path to adulthood, resolve conflicts on the way to independence and find the right balance between family closeness and distance.

With their first educational qualification in the bag, young adults are faced with a multitude of options and decisions regarding their professional future. Many questions are buzzing around in their heads: What career opportunities will open up with the educational qualification they have achieved? Does it make sense to opt for a dual apprenticeship that combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience? Or would it be better to study at a university, and if so, which one? In addition to school and vocational training, many additional options have been added in recent years: Perhaps an orientation year is the right thing for your child to start with? Young adults can discover the world through Work&Travel and gain a lot of personal experience along the way. Or perhaps voluntary service? Socially and ecologically committed organizations and companies are always looking for active support. These decisions are often not easy to make, and the multitude of options can be overwhelming. Unfortunately, there is no one right path that leads to professional success and satisfaction. Every young person has their own interests, strengths and goals that need to be taken into account. As parents, you are an important advisor to your children during this phase. You can help your child by providing information about the various educational and career paths and discussing different options together. Find out here what opportunities and paths are open to young people, where helpful information can be found and how they can continue on the second educational path if they need new prospects after dropping out.

18 years old: finally fully legally competent and freedom is calling? When your child comes of age, it is a significant milestone - in the life of a young person and that of their parents. You are probably also wondering: What legal changes come with coming of age? How can we continue to support our child on the path to an independent life in the best possible way without interfering too much? And what can we do if there are problems with each other? Parents often don't know exactly what role they can play when their child turns 18. Support and advice services can help, among other things, to get an idea of how best to have conversations about difficult topics. Especially if, for example, your child exhibits conspicuous behavior, has difficulties at school and in education or you can no longer have a proper conversation. But even if you find it difficult to "let go" yourself, you can make use of professional parenting advice. You can find out which counseling options are available and where you can find contact points in your area here on Familienportal.NRW.

The 18th birthday marks special milestones in a young person's life, particularly in legal and financial terms. After all, when your child comes of age, they have full legal capacity and can make all decisions themselves. They can now conclude all legal transactions such as a purchase contract, a cell phone contract or a rental agreement on their own responsibility. This new freedom is usually long-awaited, exciting and adventurous at the same time - but it also brings with it more responsibility and a range of new duties. Financial, insurance and legal issues need to be clarified. What insurance do I need now? Is child benefit still available? What is the best way to save for your own four walls or your first car? There is a lot to consider, especially if your child is still living at home and has not yet completed their first education or studies. But don't worry: if you are well informed, you can support and accompany your offspring as they become self-employed. After all, even after their 18th birthday, parents remain the most important source of advice when it comes to big questions about money and the future. Here you will find valuable information on financial benefits that families can claim after their child's 18th birthday. Find out, for example, under what conditions you can receive child benefit until your child's 25th birthday. We also provide you with an overview of the various insurance policies that are recommended for your adult child to ensure they are adequately protected in this new phase of their life. Every family can get into financial difficulties - so it is all the more important to know what help and support options are available. Debt advice in NRW, financial assistance services and contact points offer support in overcoming money worries and finding solutions. Young adults in particular are faced with new financial challenges, as cost traps and debt traps are often not immediately apparent - be it through online subscriptions, installment purchases, online betting or contracts. If you learn to handle money responsibly at an early age, you can avoid debt and start the future with financial security. On the Familienportal.NRW you will find practical tips, contact points and advice services to help you solve financial problems and remain worry-free in the long term.

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