Would you let adult children move back home?
By worldwise1
@worldwise1 (14885)
United States
February 20, 2009 2:28pm CST
I know this is a touchy subject to some people, but it does come up more often than you might think. I have(in the past) let my adult children move back home for a time because I wanted to help them when they needed it. Most of the time it proved to be a good experience but there was at least one that I remember was not good at all. I read on About.com some of the questions you should ask yourself before you decide whether or not to let an adult child move back home: 1. Does your child have specific plans - he wants to buy a house, pay off debts, go to grad school or find a job - that would be made possible by a dramatic, temporary change in his living situation?
OR: Does he need to get his feet back on the ground after a devastating life event - a bad break-up, divorce or medical crisis?
2. Is your home and bank account large enough to accommodate your returning child?
3. Do you have a good, supportive relationship with your child? Does he visit frequently and without any particular problems?
4. Does your child respect your privacy and your needs? Can he be relied on to follow mutually agreed upon rules?
5. Are the chances of his finding satisfying full- or part-time work in your town better than where he is now?
6. Does he still have close friends in your area? Depression and loneliness are, unfortunately, common problems for the "boomerang generation." His support network needs to encompass more than his wonderful parents.
If you answered "yes" to all - or nearly all - of these questions, welcoming home a returning, grown child may be a great solution for your family, particularly if you talk frankly and openly about concerns, lay ground rules ahead of time and keep the channels of communication open.
1 person likes this
6 responses
@renemouche (843)
• United States
21 Feb 09
I don't have any adult children yet being that I'm only 26 but when I graduated college I moved in with my aunt to start my career. I liked the area that she lived in and there was great possiblity for me to find a job there. After about 4 months of living there I moved back home to mom and dad because I didnt get a job fast enough according to her and her husband. It was never a question for my parents as to whether or not I would beable to move back home. There home will always be my home.
Some of my friends parents believed that once they turned 18, they were done with raising them and did not lift a finger to help their child when they had to move back home. They let them stay with friends. I'm greatfull that my parents don't think like that.
While i was at home, it wasn't like i was just sitting on my butt, I was activly looking for a job, going on interviews. I would clean the house and do all the cooking because I had to time to do it and it was my only way to contribute. Im thankfull now that I have my own apartment and job and if God chooses to bless me with children I would welcome them home with open arms if they ever needed to return home to live when they were adults.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
22 Feb 09
Parents usually do have a seemingly endless amount of patience with their adult children, renemouche, and if they must return to the home at some point they should be respectful of the boundaries set by their parents.
@renemouche (843)
• United States
23 Feb 09
Of course they should respect the rules set up by there parents. I did.
@celticeagle (168158)
• Boise, Idaho
20 Feb 09
I so agree! Keep the communications open. Set down some rules and make sure they respect them. Alot of talking and listening. It is very hard. Gotta love them but you don't have to take care of them all their life. There comes a time when they are supposed to take care of US!!!!
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
22 Feb 09
Well said, celticeagle! I believe in that old saw, "My house, my rules."
1 person likes this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
21 Feb 09
We did let our oldest daughter move home for about a year after her traumatic divorce. She had financial problems and needed a place to stay without paying rent. We provided the room where she grew up as a kid for her. Unfortunately, it didn't prove to be very fruitful for either of us. We do get along well and have a good understanding of what the other needs. She continued to spend way above her means therefore the move back home didn't help her get back on her feet financially. I would take all 3 of our kids back home to live if they were in a bind financially. Our girls did not marry young and lived with us prior to their being married. Our house is their house as well.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
22 Feb 09
I guess it's like they say, carolbee, "Home is where you go and they have to take you in." This is true, at least in most cases. I love my children unconditionally, but I don't think I could live with two of them for a long period of time.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
23 Feb 09
my son left for 5 months until his girlfriend through him out when he was 19 and he has been back with me ever since. We rely on each other to help with the bills.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
22 Feb 09
What a great resource that list is. I'm sure no-one ever uses such a thing though...lol. Can you imagine a grown up "child" who has not achieved much and is suffering t??
I'm sure any grown offspring who was prepared to go along with that list would actually manage fine on their own.
I would let one daughter come and live with me if her world fell apart and she needed time out to lick her wounds and get back on her feet. But not the other one...she is selfish and lazy and outspoken and does nothing to pull her own weight or do her share...she seems to think that she is owed something by nearly everyone.
@lynnemg (4529)
• United States
21 Feb 09
I have had to move back in with my parents a few times. They always welcomed me and the kids with open arms. However, I always did what I could to help them out too.
Yes, I would let my adult children move back in if they needed to, but there would be house rules that I would expect them to follow. It woldn't be a free ride for them. I agree with the questions that you mentioned, but I have a feeling that if my child has to move back home when they become adullts, I will do as my parents do and welcome them with open arms and a set of rules and expctations.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
22 Feb 09
You are so right, lynnemg. Adult children should not move back into your home with the expectation that there will be no rules to follow.