Why would parents ask a psychologist if their child is ready for college? Perhaps it is the parent who is not ready to let go.
I do think there are parents who do everything for their child and then wonder why the child can’t manage doing laundry once a week or can’t figure out what to do when they run low on toothpaste, but those things can still be managed by the parent from afar. Being away at college can be no more difficult than going away to summer camp - meals are provided, activities scheduled, laundry done by others.
I agree that kids should start taking on responsibilities at an earlier age. My kids did their laundry from age 10 (with mixed results), could make a meal and get it on the table, turn in homework and not miss class on their own. They picked up more skills up until they went to college, and even then kept learning. Did they know how health insurance worked? Not really, but they are getting better at it now. They each make their own dentist appointments because it is more convenient for them to know their schedules. When one started a new job, she called me to ask which coverages she should take. I didn’t find that to be too childish or dependent, but just asking for advice from someone who knew her health history and needs. She could have done it like I did when I had my first job with benefits- guessed.
One area where I did baby my kids was financially. I did all the financial aid stuff, and I’ve done all the taxes because the AOTC and taxes on scholarship depend on my return. This year I will help the independent child do hers and then she should be good to go. The other is still a dependent and I’m thinking I’ll be doing her taxes for years because she’s not a math person. This was the first year my friends did their own taxes and it was only because the FIL is getting too old to do them. FIL is in his 90’s, and my friends in their 60’s. First year doing their own taxes even though it is mostly cut and paste from prior years.