There comes a point in every parent’s life when they finally begin to glimpse the promised land. The children have grown up, they are heading off to university, and suddenly there are visions of peaceful evenings, a tidy house and a near empty laundry basket… aah, bliss.
We love our children dearly, but after more than two decades of parenting, we have become rather attached to the idea of having our own space again. The thought of walking through the house without tripping over shoes or shouting “Turn it off if you’re not using it!” has become surprisingly appealing.
Unfortunately, there is one small problem. We are increasingly worried that our children will end up moving back home after university. The concern is not because they are unwilling to work or build independent lives. Quite the opposite.
Like many young people across the UK, they are facing a catastrophic job market. While they worry about finding work and making ends meet, we worry that the reality of modern life will make moving back home their only realistic option.
Our daughter, Tia, is 22 and currently works as a waitress whilst trying to pursue her career as an artist. On paper, she is employed. In reality, her work schedule often depends on whether someone else cannot make their shift.
