by Dawn Hawkins

Created on: November 06, 2009

Boomerang kids are those kids that are out of the house but seem to keep coming back to you. It isn't healthy for them and it's not healthy for you. Adult children sometimes find themselves with the necessity of moving back home with the parents. It's a difficult situation for everyone to be in but there isn't a lot you can do about it. The only other thing you could do is to tell your adult children they can't come back. In most situations, a parent won't do that though.

Here are some ways to survive when your boomerang kid returns home:

Set Boundaries

You need to set up ground rules from the start. What is acceptable and what is not. It is your home and your boomerang child will have to live with your rules not the other way around. Deciding how things will work when your child gets returns home should be done before they actually move in. That will deter any problems created once your child is already there.

Work

If you have an adult boomerang child that is going to move back home, it should be required that he/she works. There are some circumstances that won't allow this, but for the most part, your adult child should be working. If he/she doesn't have a job currently, require that he/she go out each day to search for work. If your adult child has a job, he/she will be able to get back on his/her feet much sooner than if he/she doesn't.

Free Time

You won't be able to do things like you did when your adult child wasn't there. You will have to change some things to suit the situation. This can put a lot of stress on the situation. Take time for yourself. Go out without your boomerang kid. Enjoy yourself a little. It's just like when your child lived at home before. You have to have some time for yourself.

Hot Showers

You may find that shower time is a little less than desirable because there is never any hot water left. Establish times that everyone will shower so that everyone can have hot water. Laundry time should be done the same way. There is nothing worse than getting in a shower and the water is freezing cold. If you set up a schedule ahead of time, things will run much more smoothly.

Remember it's Not Forever

Your child won't be there forever. He/she is probably just as anxious for it to end as you are. Keep this in mind when you get frustrated. Know that it will end eventually and you will get your home back. Sometimes patience might run out. Don't let it get to you. It will get better and your child will be back on his/her feet in no time flat.

Having a boomerang kid can get on your nerves sometimes. Give it time and it will all work out. Keep your head about you and remember to put your foot down when you need to. It is your home and your kids aren't supposed to tell you how to run it.

Learn more about this author, Dawn Hawkins.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.