Over60
Caring

Surviving adult children living at home

Imagine a life where you have free home-cooked meals, free laundering and free rent. It sounds like the stuff of dreams – especially in Sydney – but it is actually the experience of many single adults living in Australia and other western countries today.

‘Boomerang Kids’ is the term for this social trend of adult children living at home with parents, but while the arrangement offers great financial benefit to the adult child, what is its impact on their Baby Boomer parent?

Australian Bureau of statistics figures show that in 2011 around 29% of young adults were living without a partner or child but with one or both of their parents, up from 21% in 1976.

Social demographer, Mark McCrindle’s extensive research into ‘Boomerang Kids’ reveals that more than one in four 20-34 year-old males still live at home with parents and in the US these numbers are even higher.

“One of the key benefits of staying longer with parents is costs savings. Housing affordability is a major cause of adults staying in the family home,” he says.

Below is a list of the main challenges this social trend can present for the Baby Boomer parent:

Rest assured there are also many benefits to having adult children living at home and many studies support this.

For example parents can be more assured about the safety of their children, who they associate with etc. Living with your adult child can foster closer relationships and allow the parent to give ongoing guidance and advice on a regular basis. It's not uncommon to hear parents having very little contact with their child once they leave home and perhaps start a family of their own early.

Another added benefit to having a child at home longer is that when your child does eventually leave home they are more financially secure, having been able to possibly save a deposit for a home rather than have spent most of their income on rent - and that is one less worry for the parent. The adult child can also be an invaluable source of support for the parent through maintenance and upkeep of the home and in caring for their parent if they are ill.

Here are some tips for surviving with adult kids still living at home:

These small but crucial steps can assist in creating a harmonious environment where you and your adult children can co-exist harmoniously.

Written by Danielle Cesta. Republished with permission of Wyza.com.au

Tags:
conflict, conflict resolution, boundaries, adult children