Remember when we thought we were done once the kids got their driver’s licenses? We’d finally retire from endless practices, carpool rotations, and snack schedules? Apparently not.
A new study written in the NY Post found that 77% of Gen Z job seekers brought a parent to an interview. And nearly half admitted their parents actually did work assignments for them. Yes, you read that right: parents aren’t just showing up at soccer games anymore, they’re tagging along to job interviews and rewriting résumés like they’re scouting for the pros.
The Club Sports Flashback
In my earlier blog, I wrote about the money pit of club sports. Parents spend thousands of dollars a year on tournaments, private trainers, and equipment that could practically outfit a minor league team. Why? Because we’re convinced that if we just push hard enough, our kids will land that elusive scholarship or get into better colleges.
Fast forward a few years, and those same parents aren’t standing on the sidelines anymore, they’re sitting across from HR. “Need a reference? Or should I just run the quarterly report for little Johnny?”
Helicoptering Goes Corporate
The survey was clear:
77% of parents showed up for interviews.
40% sat in the interview itself.
48% literally did the job assignments.
45% regularly have a parent talk to their current manager
We’ve gone from team moms making snack schedules to corporate co-pilots submitting reports. HR departments are seeing more parents than interns these days. And if you’ve ever been stuck in one of those dreaded parent group texts, you already know exactly which parents these are.
Why This Matters (Beyond the Laughs)
Jokes aside, there’s a real cost to this. Just like overspending on travel soccer doesn’t guarantee a college scholarship, doing your kid’s job for them doesn’t help them build independence, resilience, or a paycheck.
And from a financial planning perspective? Parents are spending more than they’re gaining. Club sports drained your wallet. Babysitting your kid’s career doesn’t just drain your energy; it could set them up for financial dependence long-term. However, the biggest concern for a financial planner is how these children are supposed to support themselves. Many Americans struggle to save for their own retirement, let alone leave behind money to support a perfectly able child. These are the same kids who think $7 frozen lemonades are a basic food group.
Time to Step Back
At some point, we have to hand over the keys literally and figuratively. Our kids need to stand in the batter’s box, miss the pitch, and figure out how to swing again. They don’t win if mom and dad are still taking the shots. And parents certainly aren’t winning if they’re still supporting a 45-year-old who never grew up.
So if you’re still running laps for your kids, it might be time to sit back in the lawn chair and let them play their own game.
Related Reading:
👉 Are Club Sports Ruining Your Financial Plan?
Working with a financial advisor means more than just crunching number, half the job is life coaching. If someone knows your financial situation, they can give you honest, unbiased feedback (minus the group text drama). If you’re ready to balance your own financial game plan, let’s chat.
Stats cited from the New York Post piece:
Most Gen Z job seekers have brought a parent on an interview: study