Whether you have aging parents or young adult children who have moved back home, it’s not uncommon for multiple generations to live in the same household these days. While this living situation offers many benefits, it can be a difficult adjustment, especially during the initial transition period. Knowing what to expect can help reduce any potential stress and allow you to prepare in advance as much as possible.
Schedules Might Clash
Older parents might be early risers, while young adult children might come home after the rest of the family has gone to bed. Regardless of the specifics, changes in the family’s typical schedule can be disruptive, especially if entering and exiting the house creates unwanted noise. Family members who are awake while others are sleeping might also want to listen to music or watch television, which can be frustrating for others who prefer quiet during those times. This is also true during other times of the day while some people in the household might need to study or work, while others want to relax. If you don’t have space in the home for people to do different types of tasks without disturbing others, it can cause discord in the household.
Personal Space Becomes More Important
Although you might be used to the rhythms of your current household, adding one or two more people can have a major impact on your personal space. For the schedule-related and noise reasons mentioned above, people in the house might feel too crowded or that they never get time to themselves. Having enough room and a layout that allows people to have sufficient personal space becomes very important when adjusting to multigenerational home life.
Maintaining Privacy Can Be Challenging
Adding members to a household can present privacy challenges, especially if you have to share a bathroom when you previously didn’t. Bedrooms in close proximity to each other can also make family members feel like they don’t have enough privacy. Consider these potential issues before you change your living arrangements and make adjustments as necessary.
Responsibilities Can Be Unclear
If possible, have some honest discussions before changing your living arrangements to get clarity on who in the household is responsible for what. This might include financial commitments with respect to utilities, new building or renovation costs, or even rent. It’s also a good idea to have clear expectations about household chores to prevent future frustration.
Multigenerational home life is an easier adjustment when your house is designed to accommodate these challenges. By creating a private space with a separate bathroom and a kitchen set up for light cooking, family members can live self-sufficiently and have the level of privacy they desire. Having a separate entrance also allows them to freely come and go without feeling like they are disturbing the rest of the family. Of course, one of the joys of multigenerational home life is the ability to spend more time with loved ones, which is why having comfortable spaces for the whole family to gather is also important. Adair Homes is here to help you design and build a multigenerational home that will fit your family’s specific needs. Contact us today to learn more or browse our custom home plans to find the right one for you.
