Parents
And Graduates Disagree
Over Paying Rent
Dear
Harlan,
As
the mother of two college grads, I disagree with your position
of continuing to give a free ride to a graduate with a salary.
Paying a modest ($200-300) rent is part of learning what being
an independent adult is about. And the idea that it costs
you nothing to keep that child at home is false; my water
bill alone dropped by two-thirds when my son moved out, not
to mention electricity and heat/air conditioning costs. How
about groceries? If a parent really wants to help a child
financially, collect the rent, save it, and return it to the
adult/child when she is ready to move, to help with the rent
deposit, furniture purchases or car payment.
Mom
Dear
Mom,
Return
it? Then
the kid will expect their landlord to return it, and that
just isn't happening. I agree, some grads might need a little
nudge in learning how to be responsible adults, but the daughter
mentioned in the letter seemed to have a good handle on it.
I respect your approach, but I still say, give her a break
.
******
Dear
Harlan,
In regard to your answer to "Mom" about pondering the idea
of charging her daughter a low rent on her $20,000 salary,
you were right on the money. Parents should not charge their
children to live at their home past college. In today's world,
it is very hard to start out in life with a good nest egg
(for student loan payments, down payment on a mortgage, etc.).
It is a parent's duty to support his or her children until
they are able to make it on their own, and living at their
parents' house for a couple of years after graduating college
is not much to ask.
Future College Grad
Dear
Future Grad,
Um, a "parent's duty" ends when a child turns 18 and/or graduates.
They owe us nothing. Anything else is a bonus. Tell parents
that it's their duty, and they'll tell you it's their duty
to collect rent and your duty to pay it.
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