The revolving door is spinning again
Published on Wed, Jul 29, 2009 by Beckye RandallRead More Voices
We've been spending the past few weekends at my house cleaning out an unfinished attic space in order to turn it into living quarters for one of our children. Yet another son will be moving into the guest room next month.
Again, our situation isn't that much different from many others in the area. Layoffs, extended unemployment and unexpected expenses have finally made two of our four grown sons consider the unthinkable-moving back in with mom and dad.
It's humiliating for the boys, a step several years in reverse. For Randy and me, it means giving up our privacy and solitude while we watch our grocery bill skyrocket. Feeding two grown men won't come cheap.
But then again, it could be worse. Our sons are very compatible and respectful, and we all get along extremely well. We have the space, and we enjoy their company. So all in all, it's not really such a bad situation.
Many Americans are finding themselves in similar predicaments, and multi-generational households are once again gaining favor. It certainly beats homelessness, living in a shelter or a car...or on the street.
This economic crisis continues to widen and affect more and more people every month. Many folks are just barely hanging on, hoping there's no pink slip in their pay envelope next week, praying to stay healthy because there's no insurance to cover an illness.
I volunteered last week at a Foreclosure Prevention Workshop organized by several non-profit agencies, and heard firsthand about the financial monsters that have gobbled up the hopes and dreams of many middle-class families. Economic stability is a myth these days and many are just one paycheck away from the edge.
There have been a few hopeful signs in the past several weeks, indications that the country may be pulling out of this financial nosedive. But recovery is still a long way off and most of us will be digging our way out of the wreckage for years to come.
Considering the worst-case scenario, a little family togetherness may actually be a good thing. I just hope I can convince them to do their own laundry.
Again, our situation isn't that much different from many others in the area. Layoffs, extended unemployment and unexpected expenses have finally made two of our four grown sons consider the unthinkable-moving back in with mom and dad.
It's humiliating for the boys, a step several years in reverse. For Randy and me, it means giving up our privacy and solitude while we watch our grocery bill skyrocket. Feeding two grown men won't come cheap.
But then again, it could be worse. Our sons are very compatible and respectful, and we all get along extremely well. We have the space, and we enjoy their company. So all in all, it's not really such a bad situation.
Many Americans are finding themselves in similar predicaments, and multi-generational households are once again gaining favor. It certainly beats homelessness, living in a shelter or a car...or on the street.
This economic crisis continues to widen and affect more and more people every month. Many folks are just barely hanging on, hoping there's no pink slip in their pay envelope next week, praying to stay healthy because there's no insurance to cover an illness.
I volunteered last week at a Foreclosure Prevention Workshop organized by several non-profit agencies, and heard firsthand about the financial monsters that have gobbled up the hopes and dreams of many middle-class families. Economic stability is a myth these days and many are just one paycheck away from the edge.
There have been a few hopeful signs in the past several weeks, indications that the country may be pulling out of this financial nosedive. But recovery is still a long way off and most of us will be digging our way out of the wreckage for years to come.
Considering the worst-case scenario, a little family togetherness may actually be a good thing. I just hope I can convince them to do their own laundry.
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North County Voices
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