You’re not asking for so much — just a son who moves on

HE’S

25, and it feels like he’s setting himself up to live at home forever. He decorates his room to make it feel like his own pad, buying a massive mahogany desk that looks like it belongs in a prestigious law office, and hanging up framed black-and-white cityscape photos. Then he starts spreading out into other rooms. In one, he sets up a small workout area with weights and a barbell. In another, he creates a reading nook with a comfy armchair, a floor lamp, and shelves lined with his favorite books.

Only it’s your house, and he’s taking over half of your second floor.

He’s self-sufficient. He pays for his utilities, shops for his needs, handles his own transportation. Yet while he acts like he’s living on his own, he’s actually residing in your home rent-free without contributing to the household in any way.

You feel you should be able to say something — it’s your house! But you can’t, because he’s 25 and if you want to keep the peace and keep him talking to you, you’ve got to keep quiet.

You just wish this talented and capable son of yours would realize he needs to move on. You’d love for him to recognize that he needs a wife, that it’s time to grow up. Right now, he’s living the life of Riley, and why not? Life is comfortable.