The ongoing global pandemic has disrupted the lives of many in the world, especially young people. According to a report from CNBC, 39 percent of younger millennials say that the global health crisis has pushed them to move back home or got them planning to live back with their folks.
People move back in with their parents for many reasons. Some see this move as a way to save on living costs.
Others are compelled to move back due to financial circumstances. They, for instance, had to sell their house fast to pay back debts and other expenses.
Moving back in with your parents isn’t easy. After all, you now have to find a balance between how you live and how your parents live.
The good news is that living at home with your parents isn’t incredibly difficult as long as you go in informed. Here are a few things you could do to make living with your folks easy for you:
- Be Grateful
Treat this experience as a blessing instead of a curse. Having a nice place to chill out is a privilege denied to many. Not everyone has loving parents or a home that they can return to at any time. Rather than think about all the reasons that make your move in a complete bummer, recognize that the ability to live safely, comfortably and affordably with the people who love you for who you are isn’t such a bad thing.
- Come up with an Exit Strategy Plan
Before you move in with your parents, know that this situation is temporary. Once you’re financially stable, you can approach real estate marketing agents to help you find a new house.
Since your stay is temporary, you’ll need to create an exit strategy. Write down the specific goal or date that will determine when you will move out of your folks’ house.
- Avoid Turning into a Mooch
Being unemployed doesn’t excuse you from acting like a mooch. While you’re searching for a full-time job, check for sidelines that you could pursue.
Also, do your part around the house. If you are unable to pitch in financially, volunteer to do household chores. A few tasks you could do around the house include:
- Walking the family dog
- Mowing the lawn (or doing other gardening-related work)
- Cooking up continental breakfast and other delicious meals for the family
- Cleaning the bathroom, kitchen, living room and other areas of the house
- Helping out with home improvement and interior decorating projects
- Show Courtesy and Respect
While you’re living with your folks, you need to be courteous and respectful to them at all times. Although you don’t have to follow a curfew, you should at least let your parents know that you’ll be out late. This way, they won’t need to wait for you to come home.
Keeping your parents informed is an expectation that comes with living at their home. Remember that you’re living in their house — and you’re expected to follow their rules.
- Keep Your Social Life and Daily Routine as Intact as Possible
Moving back in with your parents will inevitably disrupt your life. This doesn’t mean, however, that you have to overhaul your regular routine and way of living completely. Continue doing activities and tasks that make you happy, such as going to the gym and hanging out with your friends.
- Spend Quality Time with Your Parents
If you’re going to stay at your parents’ house, you might well take the opportunity to hang out with them. Look at this as one of the last opportunities you get to spend time together. So, make the most of your stay and appreciate it for what it’s worth.
A few of the parent-child activities you could do are the following:
- Talk to them about your job hunting efforts
- Eat meals together
- Join your folks for a fun-filled movie night
- Go grocery shopping together
These simple yet fulfilling activities can make your move-in experience much more pleasant. Instead of dreading every single day of your stay and counting the days, focus on enjoying your time with your folks.
- Address Problems Maturely When They Arise
If you have a problem with your parents, don’t sweep it under the rug. Any tension you have with your folks will only worsen when you decide to keep your mouth shut. So, embrace the powers of communication, bring up your issues on the table and address the problems like a grown adult.
Note: if your parents have a few points of contention that you can’t resolve with a discussion, such as religious and political views, make the effort to respect how they feel and think.
Staying with your folks can be a tricky undertaking. This, however, is better than spending your nights on the street.
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