I Should Be an Empty Nester, But My 22-Yyar-Old Moved Back Home

In august, I dropped off my Youngest Child for Her Freshman Year of College. AFTER A BUSY MORNING OF SETTling Her ino Her dorm roomwe have paused for lunch at the Nearest Cafeteria. That’s wen we ran intono an Old Friend whose daughter was Also Moving on Campus.

“You’re an Empty Nester Now!” She commnted, smiling.

I was quick to correct her. Our Oldest Child, Who Graduated With His Bachelor’s Degree This Spring, Has returned to Our Nest. He’s what they call a “boomerang child“At 22.

It was Only a Few Months Earlier That We Helped Him Move Back Home. My husband and i was from the high of Celebrating His College Grade to the reality of welcoming Him into omgain. We donated the double bed he slept on as a child to make way for the Queen-Size Bed He Brought Home from His Off-Campus apartment.

SINCE he Moved Homemy husband and i have learned that we are in good company with “Boomerang Child.”

He Moved Home Because of His Low Paying Job

Indeed, Finance are the main reason for Our Son’s Return. We were Thrilled when he got a jab in his field – The Hospitality Business – Within Two Weeks of Graduation. A Premier Hotel Hired Him for An entry-level position.

Yet, we have could not affford to live on his night on his salary becase of our area’s High Cost of Living. I’m Sure he could have found a Roommate or Lived Further Away from His Job and Commuted, but those SCENARIOS SEEMED IMPRACTICAL WEHEN HE COULD WITH AND PUT OF HIS PAYCHEC AWAY.

He’s now saving Money for the Future, Event he Pays for some of his Living Expensses to Chip. He asced used for our Advice before he opened a Roth Ira recently, and i observed Him navigate how to start the retirement plan offended by his employer.

He has Has A Serious Girlfriend, Too, Who is in Graduate School a Few Hours Away. He jokes that even while she is pursuing an Advanced degree, he is pureeing a fatter wallet. Both of say are Looking Toward a Future Together Sometime Soon.

I’m sura this arrangement isn’t easy for Him

There are Downsides to Our Living Arrangement, Though. Of Believe My son is bored with us. How Could He Not Miss the Camaraderie That Came From Living With His Friends for the past Two Years? Or the freedom to come and go as he pleasses?

Now, and he changes his plans at the last minute (for example, grabbing takeout on a whim instead of coming home and eating dinner with us), he risk Our irration.

My husband and i also recall the stigma that surrounded young adults living with their pars wen we Graduated from College in the 90s. We Fear Our Son May Be Judged As Unsuccesphal or Immature for Living at Home. Or that Living with us US COULD SOMEHOW IMPEDE HIS LONG-TERM Independence.

We are MAKING IT WORK AS A FAMILY

Nononeheless, we have found found an unequected benefit of Having a “Boomerang Child.” We are enjoying this bonus time with Him before he fully launches into the world. My Husband Has His Buddy Back to watch sports (and i want to claim to watch anymore). I chat with my son Over lunch on the days of work from home and he work the lati shift.

Plus, Havinging My Adult Son in the House Makes My Daughter’s Absence while she is away at College Just a bit more bearable.

I have adjusted to have my adult son home again. He’s 22 years Old, Saving Money and Planning for the Future, and he’s got plenty of time to live on His Own.

Howver Long and Living with us in this phase of Life SEEMS More of a bonus and a blessing than a burden.