by Veronica Bergschneider

Created on: March 24, 2009   Last Updated: April 09, 2009

The weakness of the current economy has repercussions not only in the marketplace, but in family life as well. As the nation's belt tightens, many young people return to the nests from which they came. Once plentiful jobs are being lost at alarming rates and even those with newly minted college degrees find themselves unable to afford the basic living expenses. Some even bring families of their own back to Mom and Dad's place while they try to get back on their feet. As in any other situation, one considering such a move must consider the benefits and risks to his or her own health and that of the other relationships in the family.

Families taking the boomerang kids back in need to meet first and set the rules so that all may live in harmony. First of all, will the returnee pay room and board in the form of money, or perhaps by helping out with household chores? If the boomerang has a steady income that falls slightly below what he or she would pay to live elsewhere, and the owner of the home needs it, money is often the answer. The returnee pays a small amount of room and board while saving the rest of his or her income until independence can be achieved. However, when a better job needs to be found or if the grown child has special talents, household work as a trade for the living space may fit the bill. For example, a young adult who loves to cook might provide family meals as part of the price of staying at home.

What will the limit be on what is considered a reasonable amount of time in which the boomerang should find work and a new living space? Is the person returning to the home planning to live in the main house with the parents and any other siblings, or will a basement or garage perhaps be converted to an apartment? These questions often intertwine, as the young adult living in a converted space which no one used before generally is welcome to stay longer. Many times, the boomerang living in a separate space also has more freedoms in the vein of being able to stay out later or party with friends, actions which would be more obtrusive if he or she lived inside the actual home. Limits do need to be set on how long one can stay in either type of space so that the young person has a goal to aim for in becoming more independent and the parents do not come to feel as if they have a permanent guest.

Once a family meeting happens and the parties consider these questions, a decision can be made whether moving back home would satisfy the young adult's needs. Should the meeting determine that either party can not live by the rules and be happy, the young adult would be better to move in with some roommates until economic times improve for all.

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