Re-Visit Family Dynamics with Adult Children at Home

More young adults are living at home with their parents than ever before. High levels of college debt coupled with weak prospects in the job market have made it increasingly difficult for young adults to leave home and live independently. Even though parents may welcome the thought of having their young adult children at home, the reality is that this living situation can cause some notable challenges for parents and families. Young adult children living in the home can increase conflict and tension. Further, even though young adult children are living under their parents’ roof, they are adults, raising questions about what boundaries, rules and limitations should be set.

Unfortunately, the rules that parents establish for young children and adolescents are not appropriate for young adults living at home with their parents. As such, parents with adult children living in the house must communicate about expectations and rules. Failure to address these issues will result in an increase in conflicts as the independence of the adult child is challenged in the context of the right of the parents to have control over their household. Because so many young adult children are living at home with their parents, it is important to make sure the needs of both parents and young adult children can be effectively addressed.

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