43 and Still at Home

Most people when growing up want out of the house by 18, sometimes even by 16!

But, should there be an age limit to staying with Mommy and Daddy? Most people assume that they'll be out of the house by atleast 21. What happens when you don't leave?

I personally know someone in their early 40's still at home with their parents. There's nothing mentally or physically wrong with this person. He just chooses to live at home. Wouldn't you think that would be embarrassing to tell your co-workers and friends, even family, that you still live at home? He has not financial problems, he even has an 8 year old daughter. Unfortuantely divorced, but that's a whole different story there!

I can't imagine being in my parents home any longer than 21 and to think being there FOREVER! Not once has he ever talked about moving out. There was once a time in his life where he did move out and he got his own apartment. Honestly, that lasted less than 6 months. It was a good try I guess you could call it.

What kind of outlook does that portray for his daughter? Will she be more motivated to be independent or will she be more dependant? But, if he's still living at home does that mean she'll be living with his Mother forever too, or willl she also depened on Father's parents?

I believe that there's also something wrong on the parents side. They should have been a little more stern when it comes to living independently. How lucky he must be to have no rent/mortgage, only a small share of utilities and just to occassionally buy some groceries. But, then look at how much he's missing in life. Though most don't look at it this way but there's a silent pleasure in being independent and maintaining your life on your own. Yes, it's costly but there's joy in knowing you are your own person.

Now, what if the parents where to have kick him out on his own? Would he truly be on his own? No parent could leave their child to become homeless, at least we all like to hope so, but would that have made him work harder to become independent? Who knows what kind of person he would be today.

But, along this subject what happens when his parents pass? What will he do? Is he trustworthy to take over the mortgage, bills and other costs? And, that's just with the home, he could be responsible for any pets, vehicles and much more. Can he be trusted to take care of things when it comes down to it?

A question that puzzles my mind is that this person isn't an only child, he's the oldest of three, so why is it that he can't seem to find his own legs to stand on? He has also gone to a branch of the Military when he finish high school. He works, cooks, cleans, takes good care of his daughter, drives and does a "normal" person's daily tasks, but why can't he move on?

It reminds me of a movie, "Failure to Launch". What a great movie and the only thing different about this movie and this person's life is that he once found love and never moved out. Instead she in fact moved in!

Maybe it's a fear of being lonely, or maybe it's just the love for his parents, I don't really know.

He might want to take time out and think of what he's going to do when he has no choice but to be on his own. Maybe there's some logic to his choices, maybe I just won't understand them but, sometimes the terms, "enough is enough" just isn't stressed enough.