Splitting up with your partner, returning from overseas or falling into major debt are tricky enough to face. So what happens when these events lead to another stressful situation – moving back home with your folks.

It’s difficult not to feel like you’re going backwards when you move home, yet according to Elina Furman, author of Boomerang Nation: How To Survive Living With Your Parents The Second Time Around, you’re not alone. “We’re taking longer to get married, housing costs are prohibitive and credit-card debt is rampant, so many adults are opting to return to the nest,” she says.

Survival techniques
Negotiate the ground rules with your parents early on. “Talk about paying rent, doing chores and privacy before you move home, so that you aren’t surprised when you get there,” says Furman.

Grow up
To avoid feeling like a teenager, get rid of the evidence (especially that single bed). Ask your parents if it’s okay to redecorate and turn your room into a private haven in the house. Try to maintain independence. “Don’t consult with your family on every little decision you make,” says Furman. Go out with with friends and plan weekends away to maintain a connection to your old life.

Work to a deadline
Home-cooked meals and a clean house can be seductive, but don’t lose sight of why you are there. “Setting a time limit can help allay fears that you will be living with your parents for the rest of your life,” says Furman. “Be realistic. If you set a date that’s too soon, you may be under pressure to meet the deadline. Make it too far in the future and you may not feel enough impetus to make things happen.”