I haven't hear it put that way before and is a useful analogy I think. I also think there are those who would not want to 'grow up' and rather rely on an authority to guide them as it takes away responsibility and gives a target to blame.
I tell my clients that I am not their mother or a kindergarten teacher.
My goal is to make myself redundant for my daughter too. I want her to never need me for any kind of support but know that it is always available if she does require it. I think it is only when we can really look after ourselves at all levels, that we can really treat people well without having an ulterior motive to satisfy our own needs.
Thanks for replying. That is really interesting and I am going to think on it more.