Millennials cop a lot of flak when it comes to their living arrangements.
They’ve been dubbed “generation rent” thanks to the crappy property market. They get “boomerang kids” due to the rising trend of moving out of home and returning back. And don’t get us started on the war on smashed avo toast.
It’s becoming increasingly common and “normal” for people in their 20s and 30s to live with their parents.
Research shows the amount of 20-to-24-year-olds living with their parents in Australia grew from 41.4% to 43.4% between 2011 and 2016.
For 25-to-29-year-olds, the climb was from 15.7% to 17%.
But as common as it is to live with your parents into adulthood, moving back in with them after moving out can bring mixed feelings – for you and your parents.
If you’re preparing to pack up and bunk back in with your parents, these tips might help make it easier on everyone.
Be Grateful
It’s easy to get bummed out over whatever reasons have you moving back in with your parents. But be grateful they’re welcoming you home with open arms, and that you have a safe (and cheap!) place to land when things don’t go as planned.
After all, your parents were likely enjoying aspects of living child-free – like Nude Tuesdays, perhaps. Don’t forget to show some appreciation.
Have A Plan
Before you go loading up the moving van, have a good think about how you want things to go.
Questions to ask yourself might include:
- How long do I plan to stay?
- When will I know it’s time to move out?
- What goals will I need to achieve in order to move out?
- Where will I go when I leave?
Perhaps you’re waiting until you’ve found a steady job to move out. Or maybe you’re staying until you’ve saved for a house deposit.
Whatever your situation, having a solid plan and timeframe in mind will help you stay focused – and reassure your parents you won’t be sticking around forever.
Discuss Your Expectations
Have an honest chat with your parents about your expectations during the arrangement – and ask them to share theirs.
You should cover everything from rent and bills to the length of your stay and everything in between. Discussing expectations early on is a great way to get on the same page and start off on the right foot.
Establish Ground Rules
Your parents may not like “adult sleepovers”. They may not want you making noise after 10pm. They may not like you dressing the dog up in show-stopping outfits.
At the end of the day, you’re living in your parents’ home and you have to respect their rules.
And if there are any rules you’d like to set (like telling your dad not to eat your special zero-calorie ice cream), make them clear from the start.
Pull Your Weight
Don’t regress into old roles and expect your parents to look after you. You’re a strong, beautiful, independent adult now.
Roll up your sleeves and contribute to the housework without having to be nagged. No, you’re not responsible for playing maid and gardener while you’re there. But you are responsible for cleaning up after yourself and pitching in with the housework and yard work when necessary.
Maintain Your Routine
Moving back in with your parents can be a big change for your day-to-day – but it shouldn’t change everything.
Try to maintain your daily routine as best you can, whether that means a daily gym sesh, morning smoothie, or Friday night date. Of course, you’ll need to be considerate of your parents with how you go about it, but you don’t have to give up the life you love entirely.
Keep Them In The Loop
Sure, you’re a grown-up now and you don’t need permission to stay out all night. But it’s courteous to let your parents know if you won’t be home for dinner or you’re heading off for the weekend.
They’re your parents after all – they’ll likely be worried about where you are, even as an adult. A quick text or call to let them know your plans will be much appreciated.
Make The Most Of It
Whatever has landed you back in your old bedroom, try to make the most of your time there.
If you’re getting by with cheap rent (or no rent at all), don’t take that as an invitation to blow your extra cash on smashed avo toast (lol sorry, we had to). Make the most of the situation and focus on your goals.
Save that cash. Hunt for that dream job. Hug the family dog as much as you can. And most of all, make some time to spend with your parents. They’re not just your roommates – they’re your family. And getting to know them as an adult can be a wonderful thing.
Your parents don’t have space for all your junk. Save them some hassle and get a self-storage unit instead. Discover our affordable, flexible options here and book today. If you need to store your excess items while making the move back, get a free quote today.
