/24-7PressRelease/ - VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA, July 10, 2008 - College students have been returning home during the summer months for as long as kids have been going away to school. But, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, it's becoming more and more common for new grads to return to the parental nest once they finish with college -- a full 65% of them return home to live after completing a college degree.
Parents (and adult children) who've become accustomed to the privacy of an empty nest can struggle to readjust when they find themselves sharing a household again, says Ric Mazereeuew, co-author of The Hands-on Guide to Surviving Adult Children Living at Home.
"It's common to go through an adjustment period that can be quite hard on everyone," Mazereeuw says. "Parents and adult children living at home tend to fall back into old roles that just don't work when the children are grown-ups."
Some families try the "grin and bear it" approach, thinking the problems will sort themselves out eventually, or that the situation is sure to be short-lived. But A 2007 survey from MonsterTRAK, an online resource for college students looking for internships and jobs, found that a year after graduation, 42 percent of 2006 graduates said they still were living at home.
Here are five key strategies for establishing a healthy relationship with new grads who have moved home:
- Establish ground rules: Some families with adult children living at home find a contract can help formalize the rules and keep everyone on the same page.
- Decide how they can contribute: They may not be able to afford market-value rent, but adult children living at home should help make a dent in the extra expenses they create (extra gas, higher phone bill, etc.).
- Don' t help too much: A college grad is capable of feeding and clothing themselves, and doing their own laundry and dishes, so don't take over these responsibilities on their behalf.
- Set a deadline for them to leave: Though it may sound harsh, setting a time limit helps keep everyone focused on the fact that eventually the new grad needs to establish their independence.
- Above all: Stay calm! This can be the biggest challenge with adult children living at home, but anger isn't helpful. Try a time out, or work on developing new communication techniques.
Living with adult children at home can definitely be challenging, but there's no need to let some early challenges damage the relationship. More helpful tips for dealing with adult children living at home are available at http://www.adultchildrenlivingathome.com.
About AdultChildrenLivingatHome.com
The Hands-on Guide to Surviving Adult Children Living at Home offers detailed information on how to establish a workable living arrangement with your new grad, including lots of great tips and strategies, plus a customizable "Under One Roof" contract and household budget calculator. Their web site is http://www.adultchildrenlivingathome.com.
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