When Gen Z heads home...

ADJUSTING: HOW TO NAVIGATE EVOLVING PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP AS KIDS BECOME ADULTS

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As a professor of child development and family science, every year I witness college students heading home for the holidays after a few months of relative independence. Anecdotally, most students express excitement about returning home and say they're looking forward to relaxing with family and friends.

However, it also can present a challenge for parents and their grown children. Parents may wonder: "What should I expect of my child when they return home after living away?"

Adult children may be thinking: "I'm an adult, but I'm in my parents' home. Do I need to ask permission to go out? Do I have a curfew?"

The adult child's return home, even for a few days or weeks, may produce some stress for both generations. But, the parent-child relationship is always evolving, including negotiating and renegotiating power and control as children age.

In fact, families have been preparing for these new role changes for years. Think about when children enter middle school. They spend less time under their parents' direct supervision.

Parents must begin to find ways to stay connected with their children while encouraging independence. The challenge is the same with young adults, only their interests and the appropriate level of independence has changed.

Between adolescence and true adulthood

Many countries and societies consider you an adult once you turn 18.

However, neuroscience research reveals that parts of the brain that are crucial for adult skills such as planning ahead, decision-making and controlling impulses do not finish developing until the mid- or late 20s.