Armed with the twin swords of guilt and anxiety, many baby boomers are marching toward retirement to a tune unlike any their own parents heard a generation ago. Just when they expected peace of mind and an empty nest, far too many boomers are discovering a different reality:

* Adult children living at home without contributing to the household
* Repeated requests for money that's often not repaid
* Relationship strains that have left them bewildered

To help parents save themselves from distress and spur their adult children to get on-track, Herman offers practical strategies and poignant insights. Throughout "Parents to the End," she recognizes the delicate balance parents must strike between giving appropriate help to their adult children and just enabling them, while also taking into account individual differences and needs.