With the current cost of living in the Fraser Valley being as high as it is, more and more people are turning to cohabitant living situations. Some have chosen to live with roommates or friends, and others have chosen to remain living with or to move back in with their parents as a way to save money, or in some cases to receive or provide additional support, whether that be financial, or help with a physical or mental illness.
As I am currently not only living with my parents, but also am partially living with my grandparents, and an uncle and an aunt, I may know better than most about the pros and cons of living with multiple generations under one roof.
A big con, especially for me, is the lack of personal boundaries that can often occur. There are some days when multiple people enter my private space, either because I’ve left the door open, leaving them to feel entitled to my space, or because they need me to fix the printer, wi-fi, or some other random technical error they are suffering from, despite my generally poor knowledge on how to actually fix some of these problems.
Another prominent issue is the fact that everyone in my house yells. Whether it’s at each other, at the animals, at the television, or at the food they’re cooking, no one living here has the ability to communicate frustration without raising their voice.
Don’t get me wrong though, living with my family still has its benefits. For one thing, I don’t pay rent. This is not necessarily true for everyone who lives with their parents, but even if one is paying rent while living with parents, it will most likely be significantly less than living by oneself. Another good thing is that most of my food is provided: either groceries are available to make something to eat, or someone else has made dinner which we all partake in.
So, if you are planning to or are currently living with your family, here are some helpful tips I’ve picked up in the past six years since I started living with an extended portion of my family. First, set boundaries. You could start by setting up living spaces that are intended for one singular person, such as a private bedroom. If you do have the displeasure of sharing a room, try sectioning it off into different areas using false walls, screens, curtains, or shelving units to provide physical boundaries and extra storage space. Second, try to do tasks such as showering, washing dishes, or laundry on specific days at specific times. This will not only minimize the amount of time multiple water sources are being used, but will also establish set routines that everyone in the house can appreciate. Third, get out of the house, preferably by yourself. Whether it’s having coffee with friends or walking around the neighbourhood, find ways to not confine yourself to your designated space in the house. Bonus points if you use this time outside to promote physical activity. Lastly, clean up after yourself; even if you are living with parents, you are likely able to clean up your own messes.
Living with family can be a challenge. You’re not going to always agree on what’s for dinner, what colour to paint the walls, or whether or not to clean your great-granny’s abandoned items out of the garage. But, with any luck, you will all survive the less than ideal situation you found yourself in. Probably.
Illustration: Kayt Hine/The Cascade
