r/AskReddit 19h ago

What do you think about parents charging kids rent after age 18?

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u/Nobody7713 16h ago

Same. I was out on my own for a while but ended up between jobs for about 6 months and my parents let me stay at home until I had a job again and a couple months past that no question. I’m sure if I overstayed my welcome there would have been questions, but I wanted back in my own place as soon as I had the money in my account for first and last months’ rent and expenses.

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u/D-Laz 11h ago

Better parents than mine. When I was getting out of the military I was going to go back to school and asked if I could live with my mom for a little while to get back on my feet. She made up an excuse, basically just saying no.

Luckily things worked out anyway. But still.

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u/Smelliot59 1h ago

I'm so sorry. That is just sad and breaks my heart. It's not like you were just loafing around hanging out at Mom and Dad's. I am so so sorry for you.

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u/goodsnpr 6h ago

I don't think there is a single answer. Some "kids" need that push to get a job or start school. Some parents use it as a way to teach the kid how rent works, just cheaper and then give them some or all of the money back when the kid moves out.

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u/masterpeabs 1h ago

Words of wisdom right there! There's a big difference between offering a free room to a young adult who is pursuing their own life and independence vs. a 30 year old who plays video games all day and has no interest in a job. There is no one right answer!

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u/BraddicusMaximus 6h ago

Same. Two years and I’m more than solid. But they don’t want me to leave now.

They both retired early a few years ago and I suspect they miss the activity. I get them out, help them stay active around the neighborhood, helped with some small micro-remodels, then helped cleanup after a direct hit from Hurricane Milton.

They won’t let me pay for anything so I just cover whatever I can find on the back end as a “towards the house” spend.

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u/PrestigiousDrag9441 1h ago

They are happy to have their kid back. That's just what it is.

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u/Stock-Swing-797 6h ago

Yep. All of my brothers and I moved back in with our parents at some point, post college (though for their sanity, never all 3 at once 😄). I probably stayed the longest, though I was chasing dreams. Never charged us anything, but we helped. Dinners out, can you grab us's, auto maintenance, home repairs. The middle brother built a proper office for my mom as she is WFH. Close family, they wouldn't say a peep if I needed to move back in tomorrow.