Senior Files: Moving Back In With the Parents

May 26, 2010 2:00 pm     Posted in Reality  Kim - Stanford g+ page

It’s May 26 and I officially have less than three weeks left in my college career. Most of you are already out of school (how’s that going by the way?), but I have twenty more days left. That means twenty more days to stress about my unplanned future before graduation day.


By Kim

Like many of you recent grads or soon to be college grads, I do not have a job lined up. In this economy jobs aren’t as flourishing as Lindsay Lohan’s alcohol problem and therefore neither is a recent grad’s income. A lack of income can present a problem when your funds have to be spent on rent and insurance rather than Natty Light and late night fast food. I am included in this fund-deficient category. Sure, I have some cashmonay saved up… but not enough to sustain three months worth of rent in New York City.

So after some debate and inner turmoil, I have decided to move back in with my parents. This is a desperate act and the last option I wanted to choose, but with no job and no income, it wasn’t a choice at all. So back to Mom and Dad’s I go.

It’s going to be a major transition, yes, and probably not the most exciting prospect after having total freedom for 4 years, but maybe it’s not the worst thing, either. I mean, at least you know the bathroom floors are clean, right?

Food & Meals
On your own: In college, cooking for yourself or going to the dining hall doesn’t always mean well-balanced meals. I’ve survived mostly off Easy Mac. I’m ready for a change.
Back home: Home-cooked meals. YUM. So maybe your parents won’t become your live-in chefs but you’ll still probably get more nutritious meals (or nutrition at all!) than you have in a while.

Boys
On your own: They can come and go as they please. You can have as much sexy time as you want in your bedroom… in the kitchen…in the living room.
Back home: Flashback to high school when you had to sneak boys into and out of your room. You may be an adult, but you’re still living under 2 other adult’s roof. Two adults who may or may not walk in on you.

Laundry
On your own: Laundromats are a pain. Mixing up your clothes with the person next to you sucks. And also, who carries endless amounts of quarters with them anyways?
Back home: “Mom, I love you. Can you do my laundry please?”

TV & Internet
On your own: TV and Internet don’t come cheap! All those utilities (electricity, water, etc) are pricey, actually. Just think about how much you spend to indulge in MTV marathons while blasting the A/C.
Back home: Besides navigating through your mom’s Tivoed reruns of Cheers, you basically have it made. Free TV (with ALL the premium channels!) and Internet? Yes please.

Parties
On your own: Just passed an exam? Throw a party. Just finished classes? Throw a party. Just want to get hammered on a Wednesday? THROW A RAGER.
Back Home: I doubt Mom and Dad want to see you doing a keg stand in their kitchen. And heading out to party elsewhere? Good luck explaining to your parents what you were doing until 3am on a Tuesday.

Peace & Quiet
On your own: You have all the peace and quiet (and laziness) that you want. You can suffer through your hangovers to endless episodes of 16 and Pregnant without being bothered, sleep until noon because there’s nothing else to do, and worry about all those dishes piling up later. Or never. It doesn’t matter anyway.
Back Home: You may not have to deal with your neighbors playing Rock Band at all hours of the night, but you do have to deal with your parents’ endless monologues about the importance of getting a job and moving out.

Clearly, moving in the the parental units isn’t all rainbows and butterflies, but for all of us unemployed soon-t0-be-grads, it’s our only option. And it’s not such a bad one. Who needs boys and parties when you’ve got free cable and a fully stocked fridge??

11 Comments on "Senior Files: Moving Back In With the Parents"

  1. Jpossible says:
    Wed, 26th May 201011:48 am 

    HAHA as a recent grad who has moved back in with her folks let me just say I am going to enjoy the summer of free AC and a private pool to skinny dip in while they are at work but I am already plotting and saving for my escape in August.

  2. Madison says:
    Wed, 26th May 20105:14 pm 

    I am a recent grad and WISH I could move in with my parents, alas, my mother lives with her parents during the week because she works in South Carolina yet lives in North Carolina, but I digress… I am technically moving into my grandparent's house. This sounds pleasant, except my grandparents are from "old country" Germany and think technology is going to slowly kill me (they actually lectured me tonight about brain tumors that I am sure to get thanks to my cell phone). Look, I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to move home, save money and find a job… but having to plead with my grandfather to keep the wifi on past 9 pm is going to get old very quickly. I wish us all good luck in this somewhat painful yet necessary chapter of post-grad life.

  3. Lindsey says:
    Wed, 26th May 20106:09 pm 

    I just graduated a week and a half ago and am back at home for a month until I start my job at the end of June and move away. I don't know how you're going to stand it for more than a few weeks…

  4. Erica - Kent State U says:
    Thu, 27th May 20103:53 am 

    Ah, it is quite a trade off. I've been back with the rents for a week & although I love the things you mentioned (good food, no bills, free laundry…in my house) it is still a little awkward. My room at my parents is about the size of half a dorm room and 1/10 the size of my old apartment's bedroom. At my parents, I can't do yoga, I can't DVR & I can't sleep past 8:30 (hence why I'm writing this at 8:52 am). I also can't throw impromptu dance parties at 4 am…in my underwear.

    I guess its a "you win some, you lose some" situation. But perhaps all is not lost. I've been SUPER motivated since I've been home–& by super motivated I mean I've been applying for 10+ jobs a day so I can GET.THE.EFF.OUT.

    Just sayin.

  5. AmyKate says:
    Thu, 27th May 20105:52 am 

    I have lived on my own for 4 years now (graduating this August), but literally all of my friends live at home still. I see it as really lazy and irresponsible, unless it is your absolute last resort. If you have a job and can support yourself, even if you have to eat cheap and now have cable (you can actually survive without it!), I think it's the responsible and adult thing to do to move out and stop freeloading off your parents.

    Obviously, if you really can't find a job then I'm not going to rag on you for moving in with your parents, but really? Moving back home just to avoid having to sacrifice luxuries like MTV? Wow. Grow up. That's why you went to college, to become an adult! Not to move back home and act like you're in high school again.

  6. AmyKate says:
    Thu, 27th May 20105:53 am 

    I meant to say "don't have cable", not "now have cable", sorry!

  7. Marie says:
    Thu, 27th May 20106:09 am 

    AmyKate-You have a valid point but I don't think you read the article clearly enough. The author clearly states that she has "no job or income" and it's the "last option that she wanted to choose" It's not an easy decision to live with your parents after college and many who make that decision do so for more reasons than free stuff. It's also usually a short term thing-a few months to a year while they save up to buy their own place or pay off student loans. Don't be so quick to judge without looking at all the factors.

  8. Megan says:
    Thu, 27th May 20106:51 am 

    I am in the same boat. I just graduated last weekend and had to move back home with my mom because I haven't found a job and have no other way to pay for an apartment. It's been interesting.. but I haven't had to deal with the awkwardness after I come home at 4 in the morning. But once I get a lead on a job, you can bet that I'll be putting in applications for apartments!

  9. Okan says:
    Fri, 13th Jul 201211:56 pm 

    Did yesterday’s stegnrth & conditioning WOD- Bench Press- 155lbs./2sets/5reps, 165lbs./2sets/3reps, 170,175lbs./1rep each. 185,195lbs.(new career high)/1rep each. Circuit- 5sets 170lbs for Bench Press and used 28lbs assisted Pull-Ups- #1-3/8, #2- 3/10, #3- 3/9, #4- 4/9, #5- 3/9. The supersets were a lot harder than anticipated. Good stegnrth day.

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