With even more Millennials and young people between the ages of 18 and 34 returning home to live with older parents, there are all kinds of issues that arise around expectations, assumptions and stages of life.
According to a recent Fortune Magazine article, the share of younger adults living at home has increased from 24% to 26% over the last 5 years, while the number of young adults living independently has decreased by two percentage points from 69% to 67%. (The Pew Research Center Study)

While there has always been a population of younger adults living with their parents, this has become more acute since 2008, leading to the term “boomerang kids.” (Financial Literacy Tips for Boomerang Kids)

There are three actionable tips that both younger adults—and their older adult parents—can do to make this situation less conflict prone:

• Discuss and establish expectations early
• Address issues on an adult-to-adult level, rather than on a child-to-adult level
• Focus on individual situations as they happen, rather than attaching them to a family history, or a shared set of experiences that may no longer be relevant

Jesan Sorrells is the principal conflict engagement consultant at Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT) based in Endicott, NY.

HSCT focuses on delivering solutions in the area of conflict communication and leadership through coaching, workshops, trainings and seminars for higher education organizations, nonprofits, small businesses and individuals.

Jesan has an active blog presence through the HSCT Communication Blog as well as an ever-expanding content footprint on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Jesan hosts his own podcast, The Earbud_U Podcast, now available for download through Itunes and Stitcher.

Connect with Jesan: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email: hsconsultingandtraining@gmail.com