Boomerang Kids How To Handle Yours

What is a Boomerang Kid?
     The term boomerang kid was coined because it's about kids that after they go out into the workforce or off to college they return home to live with mom and dad. So much like a boomerang you throw them out into the world and back they come. Sometimes over and over. Hopefully not for your sake or theirs but sometimes. If your child is coming back from college to live with you then maybe this will make this time a little less stressful for everyone involved.
Why Do Boomerang Kids Move Back Home?
     If you were anything like me when you go out of your parents house be it to college, the military or a job somewhere, the last thing you wanted to do was move back in with mom and dad. Am I right about that? I mean come on we had all the freedom we wanted we could come and go as we pleased with no one telling us what to do or when to do it. Besides maybe Uncle Sam.
     The reason many boomerang kids are moving back home now is the economy. The unemployment rate is very high in general but for kids that are just out of college age it is much higher. Some economists put it at upwards of 18% or so. So that is one reason they are moving home in droves. Also since so many are moving home now it's kind of acceptable to their peer groups. If you or I had moved home with our parents we would have been made fun of by our freinds but for your son or daughter many of their friends have done the same thing so it's okay. One other reason kids are moving home is lifestyle. The lifestyle you provide at your home is definitely much nicer than the one they can afford to provide themselves on their own salary if they do have a job. Think about it. I'm sure mom might still do their laundry and cook some or all of their meals and clean up for them. Not to mention giving them some cash when they are short or helping to pay for student loans. Then there are just the housing conditions look at the size and possibly location of your home compared to the small apartment they live in. Our kids are very entitled and dont' realize all the costs of running a home. Others still move home due to relationship problems where the other spouse or was the breadwinner.

Set Some Expectations and Rules
     The best way for all of you to survive this experience is to set some expectations and rules for your boomerang child. They can be simple but remember this is not a child anymore they are your child but they are adults.
Expectations for Boomerang Kids

• Pay Rent - whatever is appropriate and near market rate for a one bedroom at least. Even if you save all the money and give it back to them when they move out at least they save room in their budget so they can afford rent. If they don't have the bill then they will just spend the money and they will never be able to afford rent.
• They Have To Follow The Rules of The House - As far as having people over and smoking drinking partying that type of thing. You may be surprised how much your child has changed since going away to college.

• They Need To Cook Some Meals and Clean Their Toilets - if it's too easy at mom and dad's they will never leave. Heck if I lived at a hotel that provided free room service and I could leave a mess every morning that would be cleaned up by the maid I would never leave either
• This is Not Open Ended - So they can stay only for six months or a year or whatever you decide that they need to get back on their feet and you need to stick to it.

These guidelines will help to make this change in living situation better for all of you. Just remember to put a time limit on it that way if it's not working out you always think to yourself hey it's only one more month to go.
     Try to steer clear of giving your adult child cash or paying their bills this could really derail your plans for your own retirement. Think about it they have years and years to plan and fund a retirement but you are coming down to the wire and your adult children can unknowingly derail years of careful planning and saving. So good luck to you and your family as you go through this time. Also try to enjoy it as well because it is kind of a good thing to see how your child has grown up. Some of it you will be so impressed by. Always remember they economy will get better and it will no longer be cool to live with mom and dad.
     If you know someone going through this please forward this too them. If this post helps you through this transition please Facebook like or Google +1 it, thank you. 

Boomerang, a photo by Mundoo on Flickr.