How To Survive Moving Back In With Your Parents

Moving back home? Join the club, we have jackets. Moving back home is something that many people have had to do historically, and it seems like it is more common now than ever. Just the fact a lot of people move back home doesn’t make it any easier. Navigating the relationship with your parents when you move home is a tough journey that requires open communication and understanding from both parties. By following these tips, you’ll make it easier for everyone to get through this short stay back at home.

Don’t Panic 

Whatever you do, don’t panic. Just like any experience, a lot of how it works out depends on the attitude you have going into it. Take some yoga, learn some breathing exercises and find ways that you can reduce stress and anxiety. It is natural to be a little bit upset about losing your full independence, but try to keep a positive attitude about the situation.

Lay the Law Down 

This goes for both sides of the equation. Both you and your parents should sit down to discuss general rules and expectations before any issues come up. This will help avoid any unnecessary future conflicts and compromise on any points of contention.

Set Expectations

You can anticipate your parents to have expectations for you, and you may also have to put up with some parental criticism, especially if you’re returning home as a result of some financial mistakes. Understand that your parents are also adjusting to this new situation, and it will benefit both of you if you come from a place of understanding and acceptance rather than going on the defensive. This will prevent you from resenting your lack of privacy or the look your parents give you when you’re hungover after a late night out.

Discuss Finances 

Figure out exactly how much you are expected to contribute to housing costs. If this interrupts any financial issues you may be trying to deal with before moving back out, bring it up. Chances are, your parents are going to give you some leeway if it means getting you out of the nest sooner.

Make A Timeline

Take the time to specifically figure out when you want to leave. This may require running some numbers and educated guessing, but having a rough estimate will put everyone more at ease. It also gives you a little bit of a silver lining to look forward to when you get down to living back at home.

Consider A Storage Unit

Chances are that you have acquired a lot of stuff that your parents already have. No one needs two coffee makers, toasters, etc. Think about putting all of those items in a small self-storage unit or a storage area in your parents’ home.

Try To Keep To A Semi-Normal Life

Just because you move home doesn’t mean you have to give up on all aspects of having fun. Try to still hang out with friends, go out and participate in activities that you enjoy. This will also ensure that you are spending plenty of time outside the house.

Keep Tidy 

Even if your parents are neat freaks, make sure that you keep your own belongings in order. One of the most common disputes between kids and parents is the mess their adult children leave behind. You can avoid this completely by simply cleaning up after yourself.

Pay Your Bills

If you’ve ever shared a home with roommates, you should feel quite an at ease handling the rent and utilities, as well as the grocery budget, with other residents. Use the same guidelines if you’re living with your parents. Even while you may be paying less for electricity, rent, and food than you would if you were living with friends, any amount of money you can contribute will assist prevent your parents from having to use their retirement savings to support you.

Help Your Parents

Giving in-kind is going above and above what is often expected of you in terms of duties and home upkeep. What else can you do around the house, for instance, to make your parents’ lives simpler, despite the fact that you already do your own laundry, dishes, and tidying up after yourself? Be proactive when undertaking chores in the house and garden.

Show Respect

These are the people that birthed you, so try to respect their position of authority in your life. This doesn’t mean you have to let them steamroll over you on every decision, but try to have some understanding that in their eyes you are still a child. Just using proper manners and common courtesy will get you very far, so don’t slip back into any teenager-like smart Alec behaviors that will make them want you to treat as if you’re in high school again.

Enjoy Your Time

There are some benefits of living with your parents that are acceptable to enjoy, even if it’s crucial to avoid reverting to your childhood habits. Perhaps there is always hot coffee available or a fridge that is always loaded with food. You may always talk to and obtain counsel from someone who has your best interests in mind.

Be Grateful

Being thankful for it is the most crucial piece of advice you can receive when returning to live with your parents. Many people do not have the luxury of having a soft place to fall when times are hard, even if it is just a twin bed with a Backstreet Boys cover. Recognize that living safely, affordably, and with people you love is actually not such a horrible thing.

Don’t Try To Hide It 

Don’t try to hide from your friends and family that you are staying with your parents. It will only make you more stressed out about the position because it creates the attitude that you should be ashamed for needing outside help. Instead, just be honest with people, letting them know that it is only temporary and that you’ll be moving on as soon as humanly possible.

Enjoy Your Time With Your Parents

In a way, moving back in with your parents can be a nice experience. No one’s parents are around forever, and you make look back and cherish the extra time that you got to spend with them. Try to spend quality time doing activities together, so that you can bond beyond just having to live in some proximity again.