I agree with Rus that multi-generational living is okay for some families (ESP those needing “free” day care for young kids and/or help on a farm).
I am also in agreement with flyer that kids need to major in something in college where they can (hopefully quickly) recoup their tuition, fees and effort expended in the form of a salary or wage. When I finally “retire” and “downsize,” I don’t want any kids staying FT with me and/or dumping their kids on me for me to take care of FT. I don’t mind them visiting, even for a week or two but don’t want to support them. I’ve made sacrifices throughout my life for them and they are more well-traveled than I am and have nicer personal things than I do. Since getting hired to a good FT job seems to be slanted towards the young nowadays, THEY should be and are taking advantage of that and moving jobs (for more pay/benefits) when the oppt’y arises.
I coached them NOT to take out student loans or end up as “single parents” but I didn’t have to coach them on what to major in. They ended up in college in a very expensive city to live in (SF – their choice) and learned “the ropes” very quickly, majored in business-related areas and can now support themselves just fine :=]
In addition, they supported themselves throughout college.
My kid who is still in HS is leaning towards majoring in accounting.
I’m also in favor of ROP and trade schools which take <=2 years to get an AS or Certificate, enabling the HS Grad to commence FT work at the age of 19 or 20.
College degrees which will not lead to employment are worthless, IMHO, unless the student is using them to get into grad school (ex: poly sci). And borrowing for (very expensive) grad school will undoubtedly ensure the (perpetual) student will be a debt slave during all the years of their lives when they want buy vehicles, buy a home and a have a family. I don't feel there are or will be nearly enough jobs available for all the existing graduate degree-holders, much less those still in the pipeline. At least not jobs which would pay any more than if the same student had just earned an “employable” bachelor’s degree and then went to work.
Barring any special circumstances (ex: death of grown son or daughter who was a parent and/or presence of a handicapped grandchild), I feel there comes a time when a parent deserves to “retire” from “family duties” to just take care of themselves and, if applicable, their spouses. I don’t expect my kids to bounce back to either my home or their father’s home. They love being independent and are enjoying life to the full 🙂
