Boomerang Babies Back At Home (NAPSA)—A growing number of empty nesters have seen their children flock back home. The AARP recently reported that the number of multigenerational homes topped 6 million last year, up more than 1 million from just two years before. The trend has earned many adult children the nickname “boomerangers,” as they increasingly find themselves moving back in with their par- ents, sometimes after decades of living on their own. So why go home again? The reasons seem to vary, with some adult children having lost their jobs, while others are upside down in their mortgages, and some are simply trying to save a few bucks. But regardless of why they’re back, experts say boomerangers and parents are more likely to have a happy home if they approach living with one another as they would a new roommate. That could mean discussing in advance how to handle household purchases, cleaning, cooking and shared as well as personal space. If your childhood bedroom is now a homeoffice, there may be other areas to designate as a private room. For instance, many homes have extra space in the garage that could be converted Homeward Bound—Manyadult children have moved backin with their parents. into a bedroom. In some parts of the country, the basement can be another great option—just be sure the area is safe for living and sleeping. If the room has either bare plywood or cement walls without the benefit of built-in cabinetry or closets, try organizational solutions such as ClosetMaid MultiSuite™ or Maximum Load to create warm, useful space. Visit www.closetmaid.com or call (800) 874-0008 for more information. Also, simple organizers and racks can help free up space in a shared bathroom and kitchen. The key is to start with small changes that fit within a budget. And if you’ve accumulated a large collection of furniture over the years, you might considerselling a few pieces. Not only will doing so free up room in the home, it could also give you a quick financial boost. Finally, experts point out that there is a silver lining to kids moving backin. It gives families a chance to reconnect as adult children get back on theirfeet.
