Well! We did it! We moved back with my parents, my kids grandparents. All 5 of us! Oh boy! This will be an adventure.
We decided it was the right time to sell our house. And in the meantime, we will stay with my parents so we can get the house ready to go on the market. I LOVE my parents, but I don’t expect this to be easy. I asked my mom for some words of wisdom about the situation of us all living together.
Here is what she had to say:
Words of wisdom about living with grandparents
1. It’s like a vacation
A looong vacation. Think about how you spend time with family on vacations and different holidays. It will be kind of like that. Except longer. You will share food and space. But also you will make memories.
2. Grandkids love their grandparents
They love to spend time with them. And grandparents love being with their grandchildren. This time spent together will be in the kids memories for a long time. Embrace i
3. It won’t be as hard as you think
Of course, this depends on the relationship you already have with your parents/grandparents. Most grandparents know their children and grandchildren well enough to let them be. They know which buttons to push and hopefully won’t. And they know how to make their lives easier. So hopefully that’s what they’ll do.
4. It won’t be forever
At least we hope it won’t be forever. A good idea would be to set a timeline for an exit. At least have a general idea. Be flexible but at the same time know that depending on your situation eventually you will move out and have your own space again.
5. It takes a village
While living with grandparents, help each other. Can you say “free babysitters?” Use the opportunity to take a break or get away for a couple of hours if you need to. Run some errands childfree.
6. Be respectful
Be respectful of each others business. Just because you’re living in the grandparent’s house doesn’t mean they can butt in into your family business or tell you how to raise your kids. And same in return. Just because you moved back into your parents home doesn’t mean you can tell them how to run their household. You are all adults, act like adults.
“Even though it’s my house, it’s your family” – Wise grandmother
If you’re going through the same situation. Or possibly will at some point in the future, I hope these words of wisdom will help you. Remember, it’s like a long vacation, grandkids love spending time with their grandparents, it won’t be as hard as you think, it won’t last forever, it takes a village and be respectful. I think the common thread through all of these is to communicate. Lay out a game plan, but at the same time be flexible.
We’ve only been at this for a few days and nights. I think I’ll be looking over this list throughout our stay here.
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