4 Reasons You Should Still Live At Home With Your Parents In Your 20s

Some ~confident~ “adults” immediately cut ties from their family and move to faraway places the moment they turn 18. Others, like me, either have no choice or choose to cherish the time they still get to spend at home. But how old is too old to keep living under the same roof as our parents? Does it really mean we are more incapable than those already making it big on their own?

In a study by the Pew Research Center, it was revealed that more and more millennials (32%) are choosing to live with their parents rather than immediately move in with romantic partners. The economy is rough for us. We’re all struggling and there’s no shame in that. It’s no longer embarrassing to admit that you still live at home. Here’s why:

1. It will cut down on costs.

As someone who is still learning how to adult, being BFFs with my parents has been pretty beneficial. One of the greatest benefits we can all agree on is the fact that you get to save money on rent. Living at home literally means you spend $0 on rent each month. Garage-turned-apartments are actually the trend nowadays, and if given the chance to reinforce it, renovate it and move in, I’d probably do so.

2. You have access to FREE FOOD.

Aside from the fact that I have never experienced the dorm college life, I’m pretty thankful that I don’t have to worry about missing or skipping any meals. I am ALWAYS well fed, hence my roller-coaster ride of a “diet.” Scratch that, it’s almost impossible to go on one. Nothing will ever beat coming home to mom or dad’s cooking.

3. Household chores can actually be cathartic.

In exchange for these luxuries, we’re expected to do chores and clean up after ourselves. I’d say that’s a good deal. You’d think I’d be exempted from them by now – with work, grad school and all – but as a matter of fact, my duties have just doubled.

I confess, however, that half of them are probably self-imposed chores, which I actually enjoy doing. Believe it or not, cleaning can be easy, fun and therapeutic.

4. You’re in constant supply of support/advice.

My parents have mastered the art of knowing when to give me space or privacy to deal with things on my own. They also know when to step in and meddle with my major life decisions. How many of us can admit to our parents that we’re suffering financially? Fiscal issues are one of the hardest topics to bring up. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about though, because at some point, they too, went through it.

Jeffrey Jensen Arnett, a research professor of psychology at Clark University who has been studying the 18–30 life stage, states, “What I think is really important here is that relationships between parents and their emerging adults are harmonious for the most part.”

We are frequently reminded that being uncomfortable is okay where “change” usually happens. Being lazy and not “growing up” does not define all of us who still live at home. I just happen to be live a little more comfortably than others, but it doesn’t mean I can’t survive by myself.

One way for us to remove this stigma is by showing those who look down on us that we aren’t just freeloading or mooching off our parents. Living at home – and not being pressured to leave – gives me more time to make sure I’m ready to go. Sooner or later, whenever that may be, I can confidently move out knowing I’m well-equipped with home/life skills and a secure financial future.

Still, the separation anxiety is bound to be real when it’s time for this little birdy to leave the nest.