Take a Deep Breath “Woosah” – 6 Tips for Moving Back in With Your Parents
I admit it. I am a boomerang kid. I graduated, got a job, moved to a new state for two years, and then decided to move back home and apparently I’m not alone. Listen to this:
According to a study conducted by Twentysomething Inc, a consultant firm that specialized in young adults, roughly 85% of college grads from the class of 2011 will move back home with their parents!
I don’t know about you, but that figure completely astounds me. At a time when most young adults are looking to expand and begin their lives, many are being forced to move back home primarily due to financial obligations (student loan and credit card debt) or a lack of employment opportunities right out of school. It has been four plus years since you left your parent’s home and so much has changed since then. You grew up and learned to live on your own. The last thing you want to do now is be subjected to the same rules that your parents had when you graduated as a seventeen or eighteen year old. Obviously, this can pose some conflict, but that is where The LI$T comes in. Below are several tips to steer clear of the stress of moving back in with Mommy and Daddy:
1) Acknowledge the frustration
It’s okay to be frustrated. You thought you were going to be somewhere else doing something else and you’re not, but it’s okay. Be honest with your parents about your expectations and why you think you are in this situation now. I think putting all of your feelings out there on the table allows them to understand where you are coming from.
It’s okay to be frustrated. You thought you were going to be somewhere else doing something else and you’re not, but it’s okay. Be honest with your parents about your expectations and why you think you are in this situation now. I think putting all of your feelings out there on the table allows them to understand where you are coming from.
2) Share your plan with your parents
So you had to take a little detour, what’s your plan now? Maybe you find a side job and save up or you take some prep classes and get ready for grad school. Be able to convey what your next steps are to your parents. You don’t want them thinking that you are just at home squatting. Instead you will be using them as a launching pad to bigger and better things.
3) Remind them that you grew up, but…
ACT LIKE A GROWN-UP. No matter what you do or how old you get, your parents are always going to see you as their little bundle of joy. It’s something you will never be able to shake. In a respectable manner, it is important to remind them that during college you grew up and became more responsible and truly began your life. Although you might be living at home now, you still want to enjoy yourself and retain some of the freedoms you earned while in school. However, the key is to prove that you can be trusted and not give your parents a reason to question your character.
4) You have to go along to get along
Now there will be some rules that will be non-negotiables and this is where you have to just swallow that bitter pill and keep it moving. They are your parents and it is their house. You just have to remind yourself that it’s just temporary and there will be more waiting for you in the near future.
5) Discuss your finances
If you’re back at home with your parents, you are most likely not paying them any money to live there so use that to your advantage. Show your parents that you are taking this time in your life very seriously. This is a great way to show them how much you’ve grown since high school. Coming up with a plan for your money will also help you with your overall plan of venturing out into the world again.
6) Add value somehow
So you’re not paying rent or bills. Maybe you do the dishes or cut the grass. Self-assign some responsibilities around the house to show that you are thankful for being home and that while you’re living there you are going to do your part.
I know it’s not an easy thing, but remember to not get down on yourself. Take this time to self-reflect and regain your footing to get to where you want to be. Your parents want to see you succeed and will be more than happy to see you happy as well. Now I know I’m not the only person reading The LI$T who moved back home sometime after college. We want to hear from you! What was your experience like moving back home? How did you make it work for you and your parents?
-CKB
This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post.
Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL.
Leave a comment using Facebook
