Advice for Living in a Multi-Generational Home

Whether you have young adult children still trying to afford an apartment or older parents on a fixed income, multi-generational living is a regular arrangement for many Lake Mary renters. Truthfully, the number of multi-generational households in the United States is doubling. According to the Pew Research Center, one in five Americans currently live in multi-generational homes, a number that has expanded enormously in the last few decades. While there are multiple advantages to different generations of family members sharing a home, a couple of challenges can make it stressful on occasion. To assist with keeping things working well for everyone, the following are a couple of beneficial tips you can utilize right away.

Communication is Key

Sharing a house may lead to a lot more time together. But it can also bring about little everyday annoyances that can breed resentment if left unresolved. Whether you’re living with parents, adult children, or both, it’s important to communicate habitually and clearly with each member of the household. Try to avoid passive-aggressive “hints” or tactics – they rarely work. Instead, opt for having frank discussions about boundaries, personal habits, schedules, and anything else that will affect the entire family. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but the more you communicate, the better off everyone will be in due course.

Define Responsibilities

Even though combining households can help everyone save money, it’s still imperative to discuss who’s responsible for the cost and work of keeping up the home with your family members. To make a multi-generational household work, it’s imperative to thoroughly define who is responsible for what. As an illustration, everyone in the family should know who will pay for what and how much. The same rules happen for cleaning and maintenance of the house. Every member should have assigned responsibilities and tasks that help contribute to the smooth functioning of the house. Consider utilizing this list from AARP to make certain you’ve covered all the important topics. When everyone has a strictly defined role and set of responsibilities, everyday life will be much more joyful for all family members.

Protect Privacy

Living together in a home can make getting adequate privacy and personal space a problem for all. However, these factors are a vital part of long-term happiness. Irrespective of what size your current living situation may be, it’s recommended to do everything you can to ensure that each family member has a way to create and enjoy a bit of private space. Even in shared rooms, you can hang curtains or use other dividers to give extra privacy, if requested. At that moment, if things begin to seem too crowded, find ways to get out of the house and do exercises you love. Ask your family members to do the same. A little time away might help immensely in a tense situation.

Set Realistic Expectations

Even though you may love your parents and adult children, the odds are that it will take time and more patience to make a living together with a pleasant experience for all. Families can grow together if given the support and compassion each person necessities. It would be best not to dwell on small irritations, and alternatively, celebrate the little victories and good things about having your family under one roof. Inch by inch, you may focus on establishing great communication and peaceful coexistence that will make your multi-generational home a great place to be.

 

If your existing rental home is too small for your multi-generational family, it may be the perfect time to trade up! Communicate with Real Property Management Vanguard to hear what our professional Lake Mary property managers have to give, or browse our listings online.