I 'protect' mine from my woes, too - not that I have many at the moment, but when I was seriously ill a few years ago the four of them ganged up on me and insisted I must let them take more responsibility for me, to the extent of organising a rented house next to one daughter whilst I convalesced, and helping me to sell my house and downsize to my little place. It's reverted back to our original roles, though, as I'm mum and they are my kids no matter their ages. I treat them as responsible adults and whilst I listen to their problems, I rarely resolve them - they stand on their own two feet. They know I'll help out if they need to ask.
I do ask for help with physical tasks, lifting heavy objects and suchlike, but my independence is a big deal for me. I see some parents leaning unfairly on their children and I reason that I will need more help in due course but I don't want them taking over my life, nor do they want that from me. As I see each of them most weeks, some more than once, I don't feel they are cut out in any way - they know most of my friends and I know most of theirs.
The only bit of my life that's entirely mine is Gransnet!