Somewhere, back in time were the years that we lovingly referred to as the empty nest years. But now, there is no such thing as the empty nest. This generation of children are known as the boomerang generation. The boomerang generation is exactly what it sounds like. Your children go off to college or move out of the house to become adults on their own, but then just after you have got use to the idea of having the house to yourself they return home. You let them go and they come right back. They are boomerangs. It comes to no real surprise that the younger generation is moving back home in ever increasing numbers. By the time they leave college they are normally thousands of dollars in debt, they start off with a job that pay low salaries and soon find that they cannot make ends meet. Sometimes this living arrangement is temporary and only lasts until they get a better paying job. For many others living at home becomes a lifestyle they soon enjoy. Living at home for many is rent free. It's a bit like living in a hotel, you go out in the morning and when you return the cleaning is done and the food is ready. It really is the perfect situation. All of the fun and none of the pain. For whatever reason your child returns home, the worse thing you can do is not expect any kind of financial support. If your child expects everything to be free, then their idea of responsibility and independence is really skewed. The most important trait a parent must teach a child is to be responsible. But do not, by any means let that affect your relationship because sometimes money and family do not mix. When your child moves back in, your goal is to help them save up enough money to move out again. You should not let that define your relationship with your child. Charge rent, not a lot but at least something. Make it a low enough percentage of their salary that they have enough money to pay for their personal expenses as well as any loan payments they may need to make. Something like 25 percent is reasonable, especially when you know your child is spending money on mall splurges or nice vacations. If that sounds too harsh, then charge them theoretically. Have them open a savings account that would become a housing account so that you aren't pocketing their money. It's a good idea to set up some kind of timeline with your child. Go over some financial goals so that they can set a date to move out. You do not want to push them to their breaking point and have them move out under bad circumstances. If that sounds too unreasonable, have them pay for other things like the cable, Internet, and groceries so they begin to build up a sense of responsibility. |
