Our granddaughter can't hold down a job and we're sick of picking up the bill

DEAR DEIDRE: I’VE had enough of my lazy, work-shy granddaughter.

She’s taking advantage of me and her gran by refusing to get a job or contribute financially.

She’s lived with us since she was a toddler, after her single mum, our daughter, died. Now she’s 20. I’m 67 and my wife is 68.

Our granddaughter has been completely aimless since she left school.

She’s had jobs but they never last longer than a week, she finds it hard to drag herself out of bed in the mornings and is always late.

Even if she does make it in, she says she is bored and either walks out or gets the sack.

Every problem gets a personal reply from one of our trained counsellors.

You can also send a private message on the DearDeidreOfficial Facebook page.

She assumes we’ll support her and won’t even apply for universal credit.

I love her but I have never met anyone so entitled. I’m sick of paying for all her food and toiletries.

We are pensioners so don’t have much spare cash.

DEIDRE SAYS: Sometimes, you need to be cruel to be kind. It’s time to tell her there are no more handouts.

She needs to get a job – and stay in it.

Yes, she had a difficult start, but she’s been brought up in a secure, loving home.

Ask her what job she’d like and offer to help her get new skills.

My support pack Standing Up For Yourself should help you have this conversation.

Together, perhaps you could try contacting The Prince’s Trust (princes-trust.org.uk) to help her find work she can take pride in.