Grads: Are You a “Boomerang Kid”?
Posted by Judy Anne Cavey on Oct 6, 2011 in Boomerang Kids, Grads, Unemployment | No Comments
Thousands are heading home to mom and dad…
The economy is still in jeopardy and a percentage of grads are unable to find adequate employment. Without a job, they cannot afford housing. What to do? Move back to familiar territorythe family abode–therefore they “boomerang”.
They’re Back
The latest tally shows a whopping 85% are migrating back home and staying an average of 18 months. Many bored empty nesters are thrilled to have their offspring home. However, there are other parents now struggling to make ends meetsome unemployedand not thrilled to have another mouth to feed again.
What should Boomerangs and parents do to ensure peace on the home front? Parents might want to establish basic rules and offspring can do their part–abide by them. Here are a few to consider…
1.) Establish the returning grad will actively seek employmentany employmentas soon as they are settled in. Even if the only jobs available are minimum wage grunt work, its an income. Internships and volunteer work should additionally be sought out.
2.) Include an agreement about finances. Boomerangs with savings (and eventually income) can assist with food costs, and even rent, to help struggling parents defray costs.
3.) Respect for the parents space is essential. Boomerangs need not take advantage of a good situation, doing their part to cook, clean and help out around the house. Coming in late, bringing groups of friends into the house, could infringe on parents peace and privacy.
The Positives & Negatives
It’s an adjustment (for both parties), but can be a nice way for parents to establish a new relationship with their grown children. Now that they’re young adults, finding commonalities and befriending them on that level may be enjoyable. Parents might even assist in their grads job search by contacting friends and business associates for networking opportunities.
Boomerangs have an opportunity to reflect on, and appreciate, what good parents have contributed to their lives. If a parent is unemployed, grads may assist them to be better connected and more marketable. Some parents havent been unemployed in decades and feel lost. Grads can show them how to network on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, if they don’t already know how.
If the relationship between parent and grad has always been strained, this living arrangement could fuel a disaster. Even more planning and rules will need to be established to ensure the peace of both parties. But, in cases such as this, its better for the Boomerang to find housing elsewhere to save their sanity.
More and more, with the inability of millions to find work, Boomerangs are commonplace. Heads up mom and dad, dont be surprised to find your son or daughter, (or both), walking in your front door–again.
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