Jeanine Marie | Hatchet Staff Writer
Moving back home after graduation may seem like a practical option, but the monotony of hometown hangouts and the frustration of parental supervision can quickly outweigh the perks of free food, rent and laundry.
If getting your own place isn’t an option, use these tips to make the move back home as painless as possible.
Agree on a deadline. “Boomerang kids,” young adults who live at home, think it’s acceptable to stay there for five years after college. But their parents think they should leave in just three, according to a 2013 survey by psychotherapist Robi Ludwig. Ensure that everyone is on the same page by setting a move-out date with your parents. Susan Ende, co-author of “How to Raise Your Adult Children,” urges graduates to recognize that an exit strategy is critical for self-sufficiency, the ultimate goal for twenty-somethings.
Be considerate. Remember that parents aren’t used to living with you anymore either. With this in mind, let them know in advance if you aren’t coming home at night or if you plan to have friends over. And while your roommates might not have minded empty bottles of Three Wishes or leftover Chipotle scattered around the room, your parents won’t appreciate the extra housecleaning. To keep messes at bay, carry on with your dorm-life duties of taking out the trash and doing your own laundry. Your parents will be grateful. Check out LifeHacker’s cleaning tips section, the Reddit of household advice, for directions on everything from making DIY shower-cleaning spray to getting grease off your stove with soy sauce.
Set expectations – and boundaries. Avoid family drama by making clear what is acceptable back home. One-night stands aren’t exactly family friendly, and there are details about your personal life that you might not want your parents to know. Have this conversation before uncomfortable situations come up, and set ground rules – like making sure to knock first. Of course, boundaries depend on how open you are with your parents, but Ludwig recommends that even families with the most “cushy” parent-child relationships establish rules – from designating chores to finding ways to avoid awkward date-night encounters.
Hang out with your parents. Make the most of the last time (hopefully) you’ll live under the same roof as your family. You may be surprised at how valuable their knowledge is later. Give them the chance to teach you the family’s secret recipe for banana bread or show you how to change the oil in your car. Show your parents that you appreciate them for welcoming you back home by including them in some of your plans. Bonding is always best over good food, so try picking one night a week to cook dinner as a family. For recipes, check out websites like Epicurious, which features meals by top chefs and easy dinnertime fixes.
