How to handle boomerang kids
Q. Bill,
My wife and I love our two children and, like most parents, treated them well and always made them feel welcome at home. Too welcome it seems. Despite being 35 and 37, they keep coming back and expecting to stay for as long as they want. My wife and I were dearly looking to some time on our own to rediscover our relationship once our children had moved out but it seems we’re more involved in their lives than ever. My son and daughter expect my wife to cook, clean and do their laundry for them and they think I’m a glorified taxi driver! We don’t want them to think we don’t care or are not there to support them but seriously, this is just too much. Can you help?
A. Bill, Bill, Bill, I wonder how many parents out there are nodding in agreement as they cook their son or daughter’s dinner for them. Children are a wonderful gift but sometimes they become the gift which takes more than it gives.
Firstly, you can try being subtle. Ask them if they’re happy in their lives or is there a reason that they feel unable to settle in the world on their own. Perhaps financial pressures are making it difficult for them to pay rent or buy a house. I don’t know if you’re in a position to help but perhaps you could assist by drawing up a budget with them.
Secondly, don’t make it so easy for them to come back. I’m assuming from what you say that you still maintain a bedroom for each of them in your home? Consider turning at least one of these rooms into a hobby room, study or second sitting room. This might make them realise that you and your wife have interests of your own which you wish to pursue. You could go a step further and consider downsizing to a home which suits just you and your wife. Although you will need to be aware of any financial implications this has if you are claiming an Age Pension or other Centrelink payment. Find out how Centrelink assesses your assets.
Lastly, you may need to be blunt. Sit your children down and explain to them how lucky you and your wife are that you are still in love with each other and wish to spend more time alone. Let them know that you will never turn your backs on them but it’s time for them to stand on their own two feet. If you feel uncomfortable doing this, you could consider writing a letter but direct action is usually the best option. Relationships Australia can help with advice on how to tackle such issues and can even arrange mediation if things don’t go to plan. For more information, visit Relationships Australia.
For what it’s worth Bill, I think you and your wife have been great parents but can’t help wondering if there’s a part of both of you which enjoys the feeling of being needed by your children. This is not unusual and all too often when adult children become independent they tend to forget all that their parents did to help them achieve what they have. Being open and up front with your children will enable them to see that you respect them enough to have this discussion face-to-face but perhaps you and your wife need to be honest about the need to let your children go – and if you are truly capable of doing this.
Can you relate to this dilemma or have some advice of your own? Or perhaps you have a dilemma of your own which you would like answered. Let us know – [email protected]
Maybe the wife thinks Bill is in the road too. After all, mum and kids got along fine when Bill was at work all day. Mum had her routine, friends and activities and so did her brood.
Stand your ground Bill and find out. Be very afraid though if you go out and you are passed by the locksmith's van.
Not trying to be awkward, just flagging that Bill and 'Her Indoors' need to sort their lives, assumptions and expectations first. Wife may have been getting much/most of her emotional needs met via the 'kids' and her friends and Bill might always have been a bit outside of that. If Bill has only just arrived on the domestic scene in effect, that is he has been engrossed with work and whatever went with that for yonks, he could easily be seen as disrupting routines and relationships that have been built on for years, in his 'absence'.
First step is for Bill to take up 50% of the drudge jobs at home. Second is for Bill to get some interests and not horn in on the wife's. Wife might not mind fussing over her brood and is likely to be rather pleased they still depend on her, but not so that 'lazy' husband. Third is for Bill to accept that these people have been working things out among themselves for years. If so, at this stage he is likely to be seen as the interloper.
It is not a matter of growing a pair and sorting things out, this is a transition that needs to be managed and all things are up for negotiation and quickly too if Bill butts in when he is not invited. Time for some deep and meaningfuls with the wife, Bill. Either that or keep your distance as you likely did before.