Seems like it was just yesterday when you packed your son or daughter off to university and in the blink of an eye 3 or 4 years have flown by.
Your child who left home as a teen to pursue their degree is returning home as a young adult and a graduate with plentiful opportunities ahead of them.
Whilst you might assume that when they move back home things will be the same as before, the university experience may have changed your son or daughter in many ways. Also, you may have changed during this time and may have different expectations for your child when they return home, such as them taking on more responsibilities around the house.
In this post, we share some tips and advice for welcoming your child back home after university and making the transition as smooth as possible.
1: Find out more about their lifestyle at university and the elements of if that can be incorporated now that they are home
if you haven’t already, find out more about how they organised their schedule at uni for everyday tasks. For example, did they cook most days or do meal prep? Did they divide the cleaning between their flatmates or do some housework each day etc?
If before they left, you did the majority of cooking for example, knowing now that they have refined their culinary skills, you might want to task them with cooking a family meal a few evenings a week. Rather than taking on all of the cooking. This will help them to continue developing this skill whilst helping them to maintain the independence that university afforded them.
2: Discuss your expectations now that they are back home
Your child might return home from university and expect things to go back to how they were.
For example, if you did all the laundry before they went to university, they might expect this to continue upon their return. However, you might have enjoyed doing less laundry whilst they were away and don’t particularly want to regain this particular task.
Discuss this with your child to set out clear expectations.
3: Openly talk about financial matters and their career and future plans
It’s essential to openly discuss financial matters and your child’s career and future plans when they move back home after university.
This includes talking about how they can contribute to household expenses such as rent and whether you will help them save up for their future plans.
Encouraging them to seek guidance from a career coach and actively search for graduate job opportunities is also important. Prompt them to send us their CV, and we will get back in touch with how we can help them to get a graduate job.
It’s also essential to discuss their long-term goals, such as moving out with some friends or buying a house, and to explore strategies to achieve them.
These conversations will help your child feel supported and guide them towards financial independence and a successful career.
4: Welcome them back home from university
Welcoming your child back home after university is an important opportunity to show them love, support, and excitement for their return.
You can prepare for their arrival by tidying or redecorating their room, stocking up on their favourite snacks, and planning a special meal or activity to celebrate their return.
Although you may have some worries about them returning home as an adult, welcoming them home will help to ease any anxieties your child may have about moving back home and create a warm and welcoming environment for their transition. Furthermore, welcoming them back in this manner may make it much easier to initiate conversations about your expectations and rules.
5: Plan Some Outings
Planning outings with your son or daughter is an excellent way to build your relationship and create new memories.
As they are now an adult, you may find that you have more shared interests that you can explore together. Consider taking a day trip to a nearby town or nature reserve, going to see a movie or concert, or trying out a new restaurant or activity in your local area.
You could also plan a family vacation or weekend staycation to explore new places and have some quality bonding time.
6: Give them space
While it’s important to spend time together and plan outings with your child after they move back home from university, it’s also essential to give them space to adjust to their new living situation.
Moving back home after university can be a big adjustment, and your child may need some time to decompress and find their footing as a young adult.
Make sure to respect their boundaries and privacy, and avoid being overbearing or controlling.
Encourage them to pursue their interests and hobbies, and give them the space they need to establish their independence. This can mean allowing them to make their own schedule, spending time with friends or on their own, or even taking a weekend trip away from home.
By giving them space, you can demonstrate your trust and support, and help them feel more comfortable at home
Summary
Moving back home after university can be a major adjustment for both parents and children. For parents, it may mean having to navigate new dynamics and figuring out how to best support their child’s transition into post-graduate life. For children, it may mean readjusting to the rules and routines of living with their parents, as well as managing the often-intense emotions that come with post-graduation uncertainty.
By communicating openly, creating a plan together, encouraging independence, offering emotional support, and staying positive and flexible, you can help your child navigate this transition successfully and strengthen your relationship along the way.
Check out our top tips for parents of university students.
Featured image by: Ketut Subiyanto
;)