Staying at Home

Living with parents, siblings or other relatives can be hard work, yet more and more young people are living with their parents into their twenties and beyond, and this is a perfect arrangement for some families.

Staying at home doesn't mean that you get to side-step all the responsibilities of adult life though! While most parents are happy to look after their children until they are of working age, most will expect you to contribute more when you have a regular income. Even so, staying at home is usually a much cheaper option than going it alone.

Click here for more information about paying to stay at home.

On the other hand ...

Many parents find that in their teenage years, young people become irrational, argumentative, secretive and strange. Most young people feel the same way about their parents! If you are finding it hard to get along with your parents, or to abide by their rules, it is important that you try to work things out before packing your bags.

Firstly, if you do leave of your own accord, the council might not be obliged to house you (see our article on homelessness applications) – living on the streets is far more stressful and dangerous than living with nagging parents.

It is really vital that you keep the channels of communication open between you and your parents – and that they communicate with you too. You both have a right to express how you feel, and to be listened to. You might not agree with each other, but should try to find a compromise that suits both of you well enough. For example, if your parents feel you should come home at 10pm on a weeknight, while you prefer to be out till midnight, perhaps agree on an 11 o’clock home time. Negotiating and compromising shows your parents that you are mature and responsible enough to meet them halfway, but only if you keep your end of the bargain.

If you are thinking about leaving home for the first time, there are some important questions to ask first. Follow this link to find out more about preparing to leave home.

There are occasions when staying at home simply isn’t an option; if you are in danger of abuse of any kind for example, or if your parents have kicked you out. If you are experiencing these circumstances, see our Leaving Home in a Hurry article.

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