As a parent of adult children, my advice is no longer helpful. But stepping back isn't easy.

The author (second from left) has older children, and she is trying not to give them advice. Courtesy of Laura Falin My kids used to need lots of advice and instructions when they were little. They've grown and matured, but my instinct to tell them what to do hasn't. As a parent of adult children, I'm trying to listen more and give less advice. A few months ago, I was talking to my 20-year-old daughter and found myself saying, "You know what you should do?" Before I could finish, I had an a...