Moving back in with your parents sucks. After moving into my freshman dorm and gaining a new found sense of freedom, I took a blood oath to never move back home. I did well in school so I’d be able to get a good paying job right out of college. I did so well in fact that I graduated a semester earlier than most of my friends. When I moved back home to start my job search, my best friends still had leases throughout the summer; meaning that I would be forced to live with my parents for two months.
If you find yourself in a similar situation this summer or next semester, here are a few tips in order to peacefully coexist with your parental unit:
1. Volunteer for household chores and yard work
The best thing you can do to keep your parents off your back is to volunteer for the stuff they don’t want to do. If your dad is bitching about the yard needing to be mowed, go ahead and cut it for him while he’s at work. If your mom says that the kitchen floor is filthy, mop it for her. These small acts of kindness go a long way; you’re parents will definitely paint you in a better light. Instead of calling you a lazy bum, they might help you pay the deposit on a new place of your own!
2. Do your own laundry
You don’t necessarily have to paint the entire house or build a new deck to show your parents you can pull your own weight. The easiest way to avoid domestic conflict is to do your own laundry. Your mother wiped your ass as an infant and cleaned the grass stains out of your jeans as a toddler, cleaning up after you has definitely lost its luster. If you really want to impress the folks, do their laundry while your at it.
3. Buy your own groceries
I’m not saying that you should purchase ALL of your own groceries. Free food is probably one of the ONLY perks to living with your parents. I do recommend that you buy all of your own booze. Mom might buy your favorite frozen pizza, but she won’t buy your favorite brand of tequila.
4. Eat at the dinner table
We never ate at the dinner table growing up; I always ate in front of the TV in the living room. If you really want to thank your parents for a home cooked meal, propose that you all sit at the dinner table. You can play video games and ignore your parents all day long if you have a healthy conversation at supper.
5. If you’re looking for a job, keep your parents updated with your progress
Most people are forced to move back home for financial reasons. If you are in between jobs or just starting to look, keep your folks in the loop with your progress. I know job hunting is very frustrating, but try to apply for new positions every week. Your parents will inevitably ask you about it, so you might as well be proactive and be one step ahead of them.
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