As you get ready to ring in the New Year, you may decide not to make any resolutions for 2015. According to conventional wisdom, they usually don’t work.
If you’re the Mom of a Millennial who has boomeranged back home, how about trying to accept the status quo for now? Of course, you’re reluctant to turn your new office back into a bedroom. But if your kidult has huge student loans to pay off and can’t find a job, living at home may be the best option.
Having unrealistic expectations can be the greatest obstacle to positive change for all the family. Instead, you can provide guidance as your offspring go about creating short-term objectives that will help them reach their long-range goals:
Be adaptable. Although the economy is improving, Millennials are still struggling to make their way in the labor force. Suggest that they tap into their gratitude. They can explore internships or do volunteer work as a step toward finding their passion and the career they were meant to have.
Track progress. Journaling can help them stay grounded and motivated. Encourage your adultolescents to list the obstacles and stumbling blocks as well as their internal strengths and external resources. Through writing regularly in a journal, they’ll be more focused as they release mental toxins and deepen awareness.
Give it time. Be patient and supportive as your boomerang kids open themselves to new possibilities. It can take several months to find what they want and adjust to the demands. But discuss an end date, and know that most surveys indicate that living back home should not exceed one year.
On second thought, for your personal goal, maybe you should visualize that before too long you’ll be re-feathering your empty nest. As your Millennial moves forward and you commit to your own changes, you don’t have to do it alone. Visit our blog often and read the white papers in our Resources section. Just click on the links for practical information and strategies to put in place for you and your family in flux. And best wishes for a Happy New Year!
