Since my adult son moved back home after his college graduation, I’ve been surprised by how confusing my role as a parent has become.
One moment it feels like we’re roommates — he comes and goes on his own schedule and sometimes I don’t see him for days.
Other times it feels like we’re peers, chatting about work over dinner like two adults.
And then there are times I slip back into full-on mom mode: reminding him about doctor’s appointments or wondering if he’s out of toothpaste.
The good news is that my son came out of the womb a social and happy-go-lucky kid. Which means that ever since he moved back home after graduating college, he’s been a joy to be around!
Still, I’m finding his presence in the house makes me feel, well, weird. I can’t quite put my finger on what I’m feeling, to be honest. It’s not that I’m uneasy or uncomfortable. But there’s a confusion about my role that I feel is challenging me since he moved back home.
I wrote about this emotional gray zone I’ve entered, a reality so many parents living with their adult kids at home are experiencing, for Business Insider.
Check it out on Business Insider’s webpage.
It also appeared on Yahoo.
Bonus: I also wrote an earlier essay on my adult son moving home for Business Insider in September (with an appearance on MSN, too.)
In that one, I share the positives of our living situation, including that my son, who is working an entry-level job, can save money for his future.
Plus, my husband and I are enjoying this bonus time with him before he fully launches.
But there are downsides to our living arrangement, too. I know my son is bored living with us after living with friends at college. We aren’t exactly staying up all hours playing Fantasy Football and living on Doritos and lite beer!
Still, there’s one thing I know for certain: while these roles feel confusing or even blurry right now, my love for him will always be clear.
(Yes, I realize that’s a pretty cheesy line, but it’s true. I’m sure other parents of big kids out there can relate!)
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