We are almost at the end of the semester. Finals are coming up and those are stressful enough, yet what may be weighing on your mind more is having to live at home all summer. Sure, you have, essentially, been living on your own since the fall, but what happens when you go back home to live with your parents or other relatives? They might set a curfew for you, or they might want you to do chores around the house, but don’t worry.
Here are a few helpful tips for spending the summer back home with your family.
Curfew
You haven’t had a curfew in forever, but you may be expected to abide by one when you go home. How are you going to handle that? That’s what you keep asking yourself. Of course, having a curfew may suck, but try negotiating with your parents. If you feel they are being unreasonable, see if you can compromise. If they start by saying your curfew is midnight, and you ask for 2 a.m., try to meet in the middle around 1 a.m. The worst thing they can say is ‘no,’ but you aren’t any worse off than you were before. If they happen to say yes, then it will be a success. This will give you some good experience when it comes time to negotiate your salary in the real world.
Meals
Look on the possible bright side of living at home for the summer. No more Chartwells’ food. You get to have mom or dad’s pancakes on the weekends. They’ll be glad you are home, so go ahead, ask for those pancakes. If you’re like me and your mom or dad doesn’t cook often — or that well –, you still have Zaxby’s or White Castle to look forward to at home. Take advantage of whatever your favorite hometown restaurant and home-cooked meals are.
Work
Not again… Miss Peggy wants you to come back to the local coffee shop you worked at in high school. Well, it’s time to look at the silver lining. Working over the summer means less time at home, money in your pocket – hopefully so you can travel somewhere cool – and maybe even do some networking with your customers. You never know who you might meet or talk to by serving them coffee. If returning to your old job isn’t your thing, try doing some volunteer work around your town. Check with your local animal shelter or after school program. To reiterate, this gets you out of the house.
Whether you take some of these suggestions or not, remember, your parents will just be happy that you are home. Spend some time with them, but also let them know you’ve spent a lot of time at school living on your own. You are an adult now, and adults are entitled to a little space and “me” time. Having a healthy, mature conversation about your needs will show your parents you respect their rules, but also need to be an adult. Don’t let being home with your parents over the summer get you down. Make the best of it.
