F Luck or blessing, that is the question. It’s all or nothing, so in times like these it’s clearly about where the bills arrive. Happy are those who have their own place to live. If you don’t have one, you won’t have one for a long time to freely and wildly rewrite Rilke. The Real estate prices and rents are notoriously highthat young people cannot find an affordable room in a shared apartment, let alone their own apartment. So what other choice do they have than to continue sitting in the children’s room with mom and dad? Some don’t move out until they’re well over 30 are. Or to put it another way: Hotel Mama rules, not just in Italy, the country of live with parents, but throughout Europe.
Now it’s a blessing and a curse thing, at least in the case of parental emergency accommodation. My private empirical studies not only refute the traditional wishes of boomer parents that the brood should finally move out. But also the impulse of their daughters and sons to flee. They have long since figured out that full board for free, including laundry service, cleaning service, canteen, is practical and inexpensive. A classic win-win situation.
Because let’s be honest, dear boomer parents, just the thought of no more rumbling at night when “the kid” comes out of the club and has to quickly cook some noodles makes you mad, doesn’t it? The kitchen looks like a mess in the morning, of course you swear. But you’ll curse even more when no one throws their dirty jeans in front of the washing machine anymore. If the children move out, it will only create a huge void in your parental life, one that is harder than your worst breakup to date. You’d better accept that your son’s room will still smell like a cougar even if his girlfriend stays there.
You accept that your daughter will go on a trip to America with you, even though you finally wanted to go on a couple’s vacation. What else, she lets you pay for everything. Even though she already earns money herself. Not enough for her to afford her own apartment, but enough for her to live in a shared room with you. But you are generous and say: Oh, leave it alone, it’s nice that we’re still together.
All or nothing, that is the question.