Being independent and footing all your bills nowadays can be a bit hard, which is why many young adults choose to live with their parents — after all, that’s where they grew up.
But the twist is that while some families are cool with waiving living expenses for their children, others feel it is overstretched, which is why they put rules together in a “contract.”
This practice became a public debate after a Reddit user shared a contract her 20-year-old niece was asked to sign in order to remain at home.
“My niece was told she has to sign a contract to keep living at home — am I overreacting for thinking it’s too harsh?” she wrote.
The agreement clearly states the terms, including $200 monthly rent, $100 for her phone, having a part-time job while searching for full-time work, and sharing chores with her sister.
Other household duties she is required to perform include handling dishes, cleaning up dog poop, taking out trash, and keeping the bathroom clean.
The more lenient part of the agreement allows drinking alcohol and smoking weed, but only if she is of legal age to consume them.
Looking at the terms of the contract, the family who made the post did not find it lenient enough, “For context — she’s 20 but not very mature for her age. I’d say more like 15–16 emotionally. She has ADHD and depression. She does have a part-time job (which is her first job) that she’s had for a while and picks up shifts when she can.”
“My niece isn’t out doing anything reckless or wild. I feel like she’s just kind of lost right now and needs guidance and support more than anything. I’m not against rules, chores, or contributing while living at home. That part makes sense to me. My 22-year-old son does all of this, and not by choice,”
“… She told me she feels like she has no choice but to sign it and she’s ‘over the b——t,’ which honestly sounds more like she’s shutting down than anything else.” She added.
Reacting to the post, commenters shared different views, with some asking if the aunt could “offer her housing… Because if she doesn’t sign this (contract), she will need a place to live.”
Another person said, “If you feel this is unreasonable, are you offering for her to live in your home without an agreement?”
Other commenters backed the parents.
One wrote, “As a 26-year-old with adhd and depression, as much as I would’ve hated this at 22…the structure would’ve helped so much….It’s not harsh at all. With adhd, we are often behind, I still feel emotionally 17, myself. So to have this at any age and have support to learn it, even if the stakes are as high as getting put out, is a blessing.”
Another lengthy comment read, “Over $300/mo.” WTF do you think she’d be paying in her own place? None of this is unreasonable and being emotionally immature isn’t a good reason to be unwilling or unable to follow simple rules for residing in someone else’s home. They’re doing her a favor, she needs to grow up.”
“All of the conditions are super reasonable. Especially for a 20YO. I’m guessing that they feel the need to put it in a contract because they have tried for years to get her to contribute (financially and with the household chores) in other ways,” another user weighed in.
