Anonymous wrote:My SIL basically relies on my MIL for almost everything. Mortgage, stuff for kids, etc. etc. On the one hand, it can be frustrating to see grown adults get so much help. On the other, I just remind myself that at least we are self sufficient and don't NEED the help. It grates when the grandkids do stuff and SIL's kids get paid for by MIL and the rest of us have to pay for our own kids, but again, I just try to remind myself it's much better to have to pay because you're ABLE than to have to rely on your mom and dad.
This would bother me. If grandparents have that kind of disposable income and want to spend some on grandchildren while they are alive rather it all being an inheritance one day, more power to them. But I think it needs to be equal. Not child that child A has made poor choices so we do everything for them and child B is self sufficient so we do nothing.
As for the original post if the kids are working, being responsible, and treat it as a gift, not an expectation, I don't have an issue. Nothing like the example but my in-laws have done small things. They helped out a little with the wedding, they buy clothes and books for the kids, they took us on a nice family vacation. Would life have gone on without those things, yes, but we appreciate it. Both my Dh and I were raised with the idea you get a car when you can buy it yourselves and you don't stay on parents car insurance after college. In a weird way, if kids need it and are dependent than it can be a bad thing, if they don't need it and it us an unexpected gift for the family, I see less of an issue