Generational Living: How to Make it Work - ETB #50

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Generational living is a way of life that is back in vogue. Have you thought about it? It’s when multiple generations live under one roof. It can be by choice or because circumstances require this lifestyle. Either way, making generational living work for your family requires prayer and careful consideration.

Doing life together has its pros and cons. This episode provides you with specific points for you to pray about and ways to make it work.

Tom and I talked about generational living when our children were younger. We wanted to help take care of our parents when they needed assistance and help our children get through college without incurring debt or getting loans. That was a big goal and one we took seriously. The more we thought about this way of life, the more generational living appealed to us. Other countries practice this lifestyle with success, but for many years Americans shunned the idea.

Launching Kids

When I was a guest on a financial podcast and was interviewed about how we put five kids through college debt-free, the host was shocked when I mentioned our children lived at home during their college years. The conversation quickly turned to adult children living at home and the wisdom of that decision. There was a concern that it was not a good idea because it kept the child from learning how to navigate adulthood.

Fast forward to 2020, multiple generations living together became not a strange concept but a way of getting through a pandemic. No longer are our adult children being put down for failure to launch. The opposite is true. Now American families realize the value of this lifestyle or the necessity of this way of life.

While generational living is beneficial, it does require planning and communication. Here are some points to consider as you think about your family.

Generational Living Points to Consider

Decide if it’s an option for your family.
Consider the possibilities.
Manage your expectations.
Determine household work. Running a household is a shared responsibility.
Resolve conflict – it’s a privilege, not a right. You don’t owe this to your child.
Discuss financial terms. They can’t live for free!
End on good terms. Don’t let the living situation get to a place where the relationship is hurt. Set a move-out date to protect the relationship if need be.

Looking back, I can see the value of having our children live at home while pursuing their college degrees. It took some adjusting to make it work, but in the end, it made us closer as a family and helped them stay grounded during those years.

I can’t tell you what is right for your family, but I would encourage you to consider generational living as a possibility.