What About Family

 It has been advised in more recent generations that children and their parents not live under the same roof.  But recent studies have shown that when grown children live with their parents under the same roof it is NOT detrimental to either the parents or their children.  Parents often offer a security to grown children that neither of them might not realize otherwise.  

If the parents are able to manage on their own, there is autonomy for the children who are often more productive and still feel the security of family.  Trends are changing where multi-generatiinal living arrangements are best for both grown children and the older parents and is not an anamoly.  Guidelines need to be established, but as a parent I say it's difficult not to continue being a parent.  But multi-generatiinal households have a tendency to flourish which in previous generations was largely ignored.  

Older parents in a household offer stability along with sound wisdom which is gained by direct contact and not relegated to text messages or phone calls.  Actual conversations between adult children and parents are beneficial to both.  But most importantly is the productivity of children whose parents live with them under the same roof.  The children learn to take advice from adults who allow their children to be adults.  

We've learned that doing our part to help maintain a house is best if decisions are made as a team.  The elderly parents need to know their boundaries, but are often more constructive than detrimental as has been thought.  Learning how to be parent in a multi-generatiinal household is important.  But as times change and the way the economy is today, it might be best to share household duties, but a parent has to learn how much advice to give and how often.  

But in today's world it might be that there will be more multi-generatiinal families in more households.  But instead of being detrimental to the growth of the grown children, it seems more recently the idea of parents living with children is not so detrimental.  Often the parents are welcomed, but only as long as the parents know their place in multi-generatiinal households.  

But instead of the children being dependent on their parents, it is found just the opposite is true.  The grown children often feel more secure and are more  productive when living with their parents.  

As a parent, I feel better at least living to close proximity to one of our son's.  We each have had to learn our boundaries.  But I can understand how the old adage of how living with a parent stunts growth.  But recent studies have shown just the opposite to be true.  There are enough multi-generatiinal households for thorough studies to be done.  

I learned to stay out of the way unless I'm needed to do this or that.  If it's the home of a parent the grown child will learn how to manage a household.  If the children own the house, the parents learn what is expected of them.  Older parents living with children want to earn their keep and either help with expenses or pay rent.  We've done both as parents.  Sometimes just being near is enough.  Grandparents hate being separated from grandchildren.  

But as we grow older we learn oir place.  And my place in this world is wherever I am.  I read this article yesterday morning and found the article about multi-generatiinal families under the same roof refreshing.  I'm relaxing on the lanai this morning smoking my Rosedale pipe with Autumn Evening.  This is MY place--for now.  Thank you for your time and Peace to each one of you.

Dave