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Downsizing and Boomerang Children: How small does it need to be?

Okay, here is the deal...boomerang children can just keep bonging back! And it might keep happening until you move into a tent. Is that okay?

My friend and I were talking about our children and how things can go very wrong for them. What would we do if our children needed to move back home? I think we both had mixed feelings about the situation.

The conversation did not include any anger or resentment or even ways to get out of it if we were faced with the dilemma. We focused on the positive things that happen when adult children come home for a little while. It is good when there is a reconnection with the parent's lives and grandchildren can benefit from spending more time with Grandma and Grandpa.

Our sunset years?
We all know that there are families that share lives with all of the family in a very small setting but most retired people are not planning on this type of thing happening. Once we are in our 70's we figure we are in the clear. Still, we are always parents...at least until the child finds themselves responsible for the parents.

As we closed our conversation, my friend and I laughed as we posed the question "How much do I need to downsize?" What ever that is, I am never going down that road. Even if I lived in a tent, I would find a way to help. Our family can only survive if we are all supporting each other. I know my friend feels the same.

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Comments

  1. We haven't downsized yet - my husband has too much stuff he can't get rid of!

    But in our winter home we live simply in quite a small space. There would be no room for our children.

    Hopefully we won't have to think about it!

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  2. I will keep my fingers crossed for you Linda! :)

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  3. Just did 9 days in our RV with a set of friends. We would make it work.

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  4. It's not just children: my 56-year-old brother is struggling financially and mentally, at the same time my 84-year-old mother-in-law probably should no longer be living on her own.

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  5. Shelley...I know you would be. In fact I think the thing that would carry you through would be your sense of humor.

    Be well.

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  6. Linda P.,

    Yours sounds like a challenging life. I wish you all the best. It takes a lot of courage to be a sister,daughter or mother.

    ReplyDelete

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