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- My daughter graduated from college and is moving home. I’ve set clear boundaries so we can live comfortably together again. (businessinsider.com)
Adulting 101: My Daughter’s Home, and We’re Rewriting the House Rules
My daughter recently graduated college – a year early, thanks to her impressive academic hustle – and decided to move back home to save money and tackle those pesky student loans. While I’m thrilled to have her back, I’ll admit, the thought of another adult in the house brought on a touch of parental anxiety. After all, we’d just gotten used to a quieter nest!
To navigate this new chapter, we decided a family meeting was in order. We’re a pretty democratic bunch, so setting clear boundaries from the get-go seemed crucial.
Turns out, my daughter had a few ground rules of her own! She requested a dedicated shelf in the fridge and pantry for her meal prep creations (smart cookie!), a heads-up on family gatherings (no pressure to attend every aunt’s birthday brunch!), and advance notice for any household chores (apparently, spontaneous requests for bathroom cleaning don’t spark joy).
Fair enough – we readily agreed.
Of course, we had our own parental boundaries to lay down. Dishes?
Wash ’em. Laundry?
Handle it. Groceries?
We’ll contribute, but she’s in charge of the shopping and cooking. We’re also continuing to cover her phone and insurance, but other expenses like clothes, gas, and entertainment are her domain.
And while we love her dearly, a closed office door means “Do Not Disturb,” and streaming marathons are best enjoyed in her own space. Finally, coming and going is fine, but a quick text if she’s not coming home is appreciated.
It’s definitely an adjustment for everyone. I remember moving back home after college – it’s a strange transition from independent living to checking in with the ‘rents again.
There will undoubtedly be moments of frustration, but I’m choosing to focus on the positive. I’m looking forward to building a stronger adult relationship with my daughter and enjoying those late-night chats and glasses of wine together.
So far, so good. We’ve had open communication about the boundaries, and things are running smoothly.
While I’m relishing this time together, I’m also excited for her next chapter – moving out and conquering the world. It’s a bittersweet journey, this parenting gig, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.