Remember that old toy, the boomerang? You threw it out and like magic, it came right back. That physics thing is kinda happening in homes today across nation. But maybe it not feeling very magical though. Folks are calling this the ‘boomerang children‘ trend now. These adult kids went out but needed to return home again.
It’s not a small thing just happening to a few families. It is becoming a normal part of family life stories. United States Census Bureau data shows many young adults living home. About one-third aged 18 to 34 did this in 2024. Quite a lot of bedrooms are filled up again you see.
This is not only US thing happening right now. Over in the UK, some research found similar happening. Almost quarter of parents saw adult kids return home. Average age for coming back was twenty-six. But over 30 year olds also are coming back now too.
This trend, sometimes called ‘re-nesting’, it isn’t always a short visit. Kids are staying home for two years on average, study found. But life don’t always follow averages. Some parents said their adult child stayed three years or more. That’s long time living under one roof requiring changes.
Why are so many grown kids returning to their nest anyway? Experts point to several strong reasons for it. Some reasons are obvious, some less so. The biggest factor people talk about is economics. It’s really hard out there financially for young people.
One major problem is housing costs. A director at Milken Institute talked about this problem. She said cost of housing got too high for people. This high cost is big reason kids come home. Thirty-two percent cited this in one survey.
Think about renting prices getting so high. This makes it hard for young adults to afford a place. Especially where they want to live at. Housing affordability was top reason in survey. It’s a constant worry on young people budgets.
But not just housing squeezes finances tight. Increasing prices for everyday items hurt too. Things like groceries, bills, and travel cost more. Thirty percent of parents said this was a reason. Not paying rent by moving home helps lots.
Beyond money trouble, personal things cause people to move back. Life can throw bad curveballs sometimes. Losing your job means no money for rent. Breakups or divorces make returning home common too. Twenty percent said relationship end was reason.
Starting over after a breakup is expensive anyway. Finding a new place is hard. Dealing with sadness and stress is also hard. The family home gives safety and support. Other big problems make kids need parents. Like medical issues or getting healthy from addiction.
It is interesting the ‘boomerang’ idea goes both ways. Experts are finding parents moving in with kids sometimes. This is ‘reverse boomerang effect’ happening now. It is a role change in who lives where. It happening more than you might realize it.
Data on this isn’t as easy to find. But Pew Research Center saw this happening more. Nine percent of multi-gen homes owned by young people. This is jump from six percent earlier. Shows younger people housing older family members.
Why are retired parents bunking with adult children? Again, money is main driver for this. The cost of housing for older people is high. Retired parents without a home face high rents. Even if they own, many still have mortgage payments. High costs on lower incomes is very hard.
So parents facing these costs may move. Moving in with adult children helps lower bills. It is a practical answer to money problems. This happens for the older generation often. It simply makes good sense for many.
But not just money for parents moving in. There is social and emotional gain too. Moving in provides company and helps with loneliness. Loneliness is big problem sometimes in retirement. Living together helps everyone feel better connected.
No matter which direction boomerang goes, it changes things. Impacts happen right away for the family home. The ’empty nest’ suddenly has people again. Often space had to be given up inside. This impacts parent’s daily life lots.
Over half of parents gave up a room. Maybe it was home office or guest room. Some even gave up living room space. This is not easy small change. It affects parent privacy and their hobbies too.
It is a big leap to share your home again you know. Or for adult children to move back in with aging parents. This challenges old ideas about independence and family structure you know. This is driven by necessity or desire for closer connection. It is becoming a chapter in their family story now. Acknowledge realities, prepare for challenges, seek benefits and expert guidance. Finding ways to make the journey ‘beyond the welcome mat’ meaningful and rewarding.
Related posts:
The Pros and Cons of Moving in with Your Adult Child
How to navigate older children moving back home
Parents’ Retirement Threatened as High Costs Drive Adult Children Home, Thrivent’s Annual Boomerang Kids Survey Shows
