When Empty Nest Nirvana Ends…How to Manage Your Boomerang Kid!

The season of being an empty nester is bittersweet. You watch with pride as your children spread their wings and go off to college. Then you wander around the house, wondering what’s next for you and your spouse. Just as you are settling into new habits and rediscovering your better half, your kid’s four-year stint at university is up, and they are moving back home. Your son or daughter is not the only one doing this. Called the “Boomerang Generation”. Many Millennials and Generation Z adults plan to move back home after college. How do you handle this new dynamic of a grown child taking up residence in their old bedroom? What do you do with all their stuff?

Take proactive steps to make the transition smoother with open conversation and storage units near your San Mateo home. At 5A Rent-A-Space, we offer a variety of differently sized units to house the extra stuff your kid brings back with them. We will even move their goods to their rental space with our free moving van. Renew your relationship with your child; don’t let stuff get in the way!

How to Manage Your Children Moving Back Home after College
Welcoming your child to live at home before moving out into the big world? There are many reasons it may be a necessity, for example, a lack of employment or hefty student loan debt, but it will probably put a strain on your relationship. Here are some tips that make things easier for you both:

1. Treat them like an adult. This means that you can expect the courtesy of knowing where they are going, but you cannot demand they come home at a particular time. Instead, expect them to act like a grown-up by treating them like one. Respect their independence since you did raise them to leave the nest ultimately.
2. Discuss the expectations of both parties. Consider what you think having your adult son or daughter living back home looks like. Sit down and talk about what you each expect. Do you want them to pay rent? What about helping with household chores? It is even okay to set a few house rules to keep the peace.
3. Set an end date. It doesn’t have to be a hard and fast date for your son or daughter to move out, but it shouldn’t be an open-ended affair. Talk with each other and agree on what makes sense. You both will be glad that there is a timeline, especially when things get tough down the road.
4. Rent a storage unit. It does seem an odd suggestion, but it will save a lot of frustration. Remember, they have been away for four years or more. While home for the holidays, they may have brought some stuff, but they always took it back, and now they have probably collected much more. Keep the clutter at bay when you rent a storage space for those items that are seasonal and not needed at this time.

Limit the Stress of Your Child Moving Back Home – Rent a Storage Unit

Enjoy this new season of life with your college graduate. One day, they will move out for good, and you will be glad to have this last bit of time with them. Ease the tension at home with storage units near San Mateo to ensure your new situation is pleasant. Get started today and give us a call.

Reserve your self-storage unit online now. Call 5A Rent-A-Space at 650-338-0016 or toll-free at 1-800-5ASPACE (1-800-527-7223) to learn more. Not sure how much space you will need? Use our online Space Calculator to estimate the best unit size for you.