What About Moving Back Home?

Jackie Burrell over at 20-Somethings blog comments that around 60% of single, young adults end up moving back home at some point. Elsewhere it's listed as high as 85%! Boomerang kids.


Obviously, money is a factor. All that rent money is better spent on Doritos and iTunes, right? Ah, the expectations of each generation might differ a bit. A bit o' tension.

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What About Moving Back Home?

Jackie Burrell over at 20-Somethings blog comments that around 60% of single, young adults end up moving back home at some point. Elsewhere it's listed as high as 85%! Boomerang kids.

Obviously, money is a factor. All that rent money is better spent on Doritos and iTunes, right? Ah, the expectations of each generation might differ a bit. A bit o' tension.

Burrell gives some helpful advice for making it work. Stop over there if you're looking for helpful details and links. Let's interact right here, though, with her main points.

1. Set a Time Limit - While it might not be in stone, this is common sense on both sides. Mom and Dad feel the spirit of Bill Cosby coming over them as they sense a sinister plot by the kids to take over the house. A time limit can bring some peace. And for son or daughter, do you really want to move back in with no plan to leave. Uh, no.

2. Set Goals - Paying off debt? Mending a broken heart? Pursuing a bachelor's degree? Many parents will feel better knowing those goals are being pursued. Setting a personal best in killing zombies on the Xbox? Not so much.

3. Discuss Rent - At our house, we've talked about free rent as long as the kids are full-time students. Burrell says about half of the boomerang kids pay significant rent. Finding a way to make it fair help keep tempers in check.

4. Set Chores - See #3.

5. Discuss Guests and Booze - The amazing thing about 20-somethings is how much of life they life between midnight and 4 a.m. Make the crowd bigger, add some party aids, and mom and dad's morning coffee may need to be a little stronger. Yeah. Talk about this too.

6. Make a Contract - Sounds a bit extreme, but I tend to agree with this too. Clear expectations is the common thread in all of these points and writing them down is the ultimate clarifier. Have everyone sign it at the bottom.

So what do you think? Too regimented for your house? Boomerang kid, do you like the idea of a contract? Boomerang parent, do you?