If you have chosen to move back in with your parents, you may not even have a clue as to what you are in for. While moving back in seems like a good idea to help you get on your feet after college, there will certainly be times when you and your parents want to rip each other’s hair out.
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent a fight match every time you stumble into the house at 1:00am. Below, we will go over some ways that you can quickly adjust to living back at home.
- Have a Routine
If you have a routine, you will find that it is much easier to get along with your parents. It can be frustrating for your parents when you wake up at 10:00am one day then 1:00pm the next day. Try to create a schedule daily or weekly, so that your parents know what to expect.
Also, this will help cut down on surprises when you do have to come home late one night. For example, simply let your parents know when you will be heading out for a long night and try to give them an idea of when you will be home.
- Ground Rules: Set Them Early On
Before you even unload the boxes from the car, make sure that you have ground rules in place with your parents. Your parents will like have a laundry list of rules to follow and you likely will disagree with half of them – or even all of them.
If you have decided that you will be splitting the bills with your parents, write it down somewhere, sign it, and hang it up. This will help keep you responsible and you will always remember what the agreement was, so there is no argument later on.
- Abide by the House Rules
While you will lay some ground rules with your parents, you simply just want to do some things their way. For example, if your mom wants you to take your shoes off at the front door, why even make it into a problem? Just do it.
Likewise, if you know that after dinner the dishes need to go into the dishwasher, why not help out and do it? Some chores are part of life and just not worth arguing about.
- Respect Your Parents
After all, it is your parents’ house and you should have some respect for them. If you know that your parents do not like you to listen to your radio so loud, don’t do it.
If you know that coming home at 2:00am will wake your parents, come home an hour or two earlier. Making these small adjustments may be hard, but you can do it and should do it out of respect.
If you are planning on moving back in with the ‘rents, make sure that you work out a living arrangement with them, so that everyone is on the same page at all times.