Category Archives: From the adult child’s perspective

New college grads having a tough time finding jobs

With unemployment rising sharply just as this year’s class of graduates is coming to the end of their education, people are starting to wonder just what will happen to the class of 2009.

The young graduates themselves seem terrified, with a huge portion of them planning to move home because there’s no other way they can see themselves making rent.

Here are some thoughts from college seniors from a recent article at NewsDaily.com:

“You’re graduating into this world and being thrown out of the college bubble and you’re supposed to be able to get a job, which just doesn’t exist.

“Most people I know my age still live at home because they can’t even get it together to make enough money to pay rent. Each class piles up against the ones before it. I know so many people who are looking for jobs, and have been since they graduated. There’s this sense of ‘No hope.'”
– Andrew Heber, 24, class of  2007

“People are saying this is the worst year to graduate, ever.”
– Amanda Haimes, 22, class of 2009

If you have an adult child who is set to graduate this Spring, now’s the time to start the conversation about future living arrangements. Some new graduates may assume they’re moving home to live with Mom and Dad, even if they haven’t let you in on the plan. Talk to them now about what their plans are, and what your expectations are if they do return to the nest.

"Zero rent gets you the creepy room": A charming perspective from one adult child living at home

Today we share with you the story of Sam, a 22-year-old New Zealander who’s back living at home after 3 years away. While he was gone, his mother took over the newly vacated “spare room” for her craft passion. His parents’ house has a guest room, too, but that’s not where he lives. No, he gets the “creepy room.” Here’s how he describes it:

Although there is a guestroom, I have been assigned to a room labeled by my father as “the adult child returning home” room, although this is a purpose it has evolved into over the years. It was originally built in a section of the attic as a room for my then ten-year-old brother. There is no door, just a set of stairs that leads directly into a single room with bright colours and walls that connect the ceiling and floor at a forty-five degree angle, as opposed to the standard ninety. It’s the ultimate tree fort, and a child’s dream room.

It’s an adult’s nightmare.

But Sam bears his parents no ill will for the attic room. He shares his perspective on his blog, in an entry that is worth checking out if you have adult children living at home.

Young adults "subsidized in the city"

In this Newsweek opinion piece, 25-year-old Melodie Serafino explores the question:

Adulthood means financial independence. So why do so many of my peers still live off their parents?

Her thoughts about subsidized rent, allowance, and other parental support for the 20-plus crowd are an interesting read, especially for families dealing with adult children living at home.