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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBrutal Economy Fulfills Mom's Dream Of Having All Her Kids Back Home
Extra Family Time A Perk As Children Face Financial Ruin
Published: April 15, 2026 SATIRE
DULUTH, MNOverjoyed to have a full house for the first time since everyone went off to college, local mother Leslie Daniels confirmed Thursday it was a dream come true to have all her children back home, a reunion made possible only by the merciless and punishing economic conditions that have stripped an entire generation of financial stability. Im so glad to have all my kiddos under the same roof againits just so nice it worked out this way! Daniels said as she cheerfully stirred a big batch of chili for her three adult children, each of whom had been forced home in their 30s by a brutal convergence of stagnant wages, rising rents, the crushing cost of living, and a job market increasingly corroded by gig labor and artificial intelligence.
Im sure theyre glad to be back together again, too. What a lucky coincidence. The only thing they need now is some home cooking and a family movie night. At press time, Daniels was reportedly humming merrily and folding everyones laundry, unaware that her oldest was out selling his plasma so he could make the minimum payment on his credit card.
https://theonion.com/brutal-economy-fulfills-moms-dream-of-having-all-her-kids-back-home/
SunSeeker
(58,333 posts)At least I wont be paying for his college apartment rent anymore.
He actually has a job that he will be starting in July, but it does not pay enough for him to get an apartment on his own. And none of his friends can afford rent either. Theyre all living with their parents.
Henry203
(938 posts)We all moved out as soon as we could. Fifty years of trickle down economics has put our young people in a hole.
kevinbgoode1
(167 posts)We tried to move out as soon as we could (and in many cases, had no choice as we were considered "adults" then). It wasn't so bad - everyone had room or housemates, pooled limited resources, often had throwaway scavenged furniture. Heck, we often pooled food to make a balanced meal. Those who had cars were almost always older with frequent repairs. A fun evening would be cooking out on the hibachi and sitting on the porch drinking a jug of $2 wine.
The economic issues with this newer generation are not always their fault. Fifty years ago we didn't need to have expensive cellphones or computers just to be able to LOOK for a job, manage a bank account, or store most of our important documents. Our utilities seemed to be more heavily regulated (like the electric bill didn't have a dozen additional charges/fees/taxes added onto the bill beyond actual service used; our phones still had flat rate monthly service before the "you have to own and pay to service each jack, cord, instrument and extra for touch call" years, and even my water bill didn't have additional $18/mo. for "debt servicing." which seems to be eternal.
Heck, people need several thousand (as in usually $10k or more) to buy an old car with over 100k miles on it today. Then there is the insurance, maintenance costs, etc. And the employment prospects - sending out 100's of resumes, even digitally, is daunting, especially when so many don't even get an acknowledgement or response.
It's been a slow but steady economic squeeze for decades. Even the parents are feeling it, unless they are in the privileged few.
raccoon
(32,417 posts)milestogo
(23,135 posts)to have their kids all come home later in life... at least to come home and stay.