In today’s society, it’s becoming more common for adult children to move back in with their parents for various reasons. According to Mary Hunt, author of the article, “The Essential Guide to House Rules When the Adult Children Move Back,” moving adult children back in can sometimes become a “crowded nest.” Without rules the adult children think it’s going to be exactly how it was when they were younger since they’re back under their parent’s domain, which sometimes makes the parents regret their decision. I agree with Hunt due to certain experiences within my own household.
My brother came back home with the intention that since he’s older and just coming back, he doesn’t have any chores to deal with. Our home became cluttered with his belongings all over the place, making it hard for anyone else to move freely. Since there weren’t any rules for him at the time, he felt as though this was an opportunity to live in a rent-free environment. In order to live peacefully with adult children, there are several key rules that should be established to ensure a harmonious living situation for everyone involved.
The first rule should be about cleaning up after yourself. Hunt goes on to explain how “boomerangs need to be involved in the house.” (Boomerang is defined as an adult child who comes back home to live with his/her parents after an extended amount of time away) What she means by that is even though the young adult just came back, chores still need to be taken care of. As a college student who goes back home on the weekend, I still have minor chores that I have to do, such as keeping my room clean and making sure that the living room is presentable and it is a job that I take pride in.
Another common rule that can help the household is money. It is important to establish financial boundaries and expectations from the beginning. Hunt claims that boomerangers should be able to “pay rent or make some other form of financial contribution.” She means that the parents, not wanting the adult children to pay the full rent by themselves, should at least put money towards groceries or little things around the house. In my household, (after my mother established some rules for him) my oldest brother has to help pay half of the bills. I agree with Hunt because no matter what, both parents and boomerangers can live in harmony by splitting the bills and saving a lot of money.
The final important aspect is setting boundaries around personal space and privacy. While parents might have general rules about not leaving messes or respecting shared areas, they should also respect their adult child’s need for privacy. Especially when it comes to their room or personal belongings. Setting rules for adult children is essential for all individuals involved.
Establishing house rules when adult children move back in with their parents could help both parties mentally and physically. By cleaning up after themselves, setting boundaries, sharing responsibilities, limiting money, and respecting each other’s lives, everyone can feel like they are contributing to the household in meaningful ways. With clear guidelines in their households they can thrive and enjoy happy relationships between one another.
