Multigenerational Families: An Appealing Option By Tracy Baker immigration from countries where multigenerational homes are the norm. Whatever the underlying reason may be, plenty of families are starting to look at combined households as an appealing option rather than as a last resort. As with everything in life, living with extended family presents its very own unique set of ups and downs. There are added stresses that single family homes don’t have to deal with, but there are also benefits that those of us living in nuclear families never get the chance to experience. Many of us cringe at the prospect of moving back in with mom and dad or having our kids come back to roost after they’ve moved out on their own. However, from a practical standpoint, it can be a positive, even beneficial, experience for all of the family members involved. There’s no place like home A year ago Kristin Grigsby and her husband Kevin were at the end of their lease and undecided about their future plans. To make things even more interesting, they were also expecting their first baby in a few short weeks. When the opportunity came up for them to all move in with her parents, it seemed like the perfect arrangement. “My father mentioned the idea of moving in and we thought it would be beneficial financially, being first time parents and avoiding being tied down to a lease,” Kristin said. I t used to be a matter of course – you graduated high school, moved out and headed off to college or work, married and started a family of your own and then the cycle started all over again with the next generation. Well the times, as they say, are a-changin’. These days, you can go home again, or it’s entirely possible that home might just pack up and move in with you. Living With Extended Family is on the Rise Shortly after the end of World War II the number of multigenerational households in the United States began to decline sharply. According to the Pew Research Center almost a quarter of the US Population lived with extended family in 1940; by 1980 that number had dropped to an all-time low of 12%. The most recent US Census data shows us that that trend is, once again, on the rise. There has been a 60% increase in the number of Americans living in a multigenerational home since 1990, and it doesn’t look like the rate is going to slow down any time soon. People from nearly every major demographic group are going home again. There are many reasons for the change in trend, but the majority of cases can be traced back to the economic downturn and the challenges faced by an aging population. We’re also seeing an overall cultural shift due to JoAnn Ros’ “Grandfamily.” They became a ‘grandfamily’ when they took custody of their granddaughter. For the Grigsby family, the multigenerational living situation was ideal. As brandnew, first-time parents, having several extra sets of hands, especially during those early days with a newborn, were a blessing. The added financial freedom has also allowed them to save money towards buying their own home and given them the advantage of being able to take their time making a purchasing decision. Sharing a home does come with its own set of challenges. Even with a separate living space, Kristin admits that it can be hard to adjust to living at home again. Everything from simple domestic issues like figuring out the laundry schedule to bigger factors like having a baby that wakes the whole house up at 6AM each day can complicate the experience. On the whole, however, having Grandma and Grandpa there as a regular part of their son’s life has made the situation work and also made Kristin and Kevin appreciate her parents on a whole new level. We start and end with family In 2000, JoAnn Ros and her husband became a ‘grandfamily’ when they took custody of their granddaughter. Then, in 2007, JoAnn’s mother moved in. Her husband’s father now lives with them as well. She says one of the greatest benefits of the situation is having her mother around. “She is a sweet lady, intelligent and a woman of great faith. Multigenerational Families continued on page 14 2013 • Issue 3 Piedmont Family Magazine 13