At what age should you fly the nest?

I moved out when I was 16. Went to high school in the morning, worked in the afternoons, played sports late afternoon/early evenings and took some college courses in the evening or worked. I graduated from high school early playing 5 varsity sports. Had 0 social life, but that was MY choice.

When my children finished High school (early ages 15/16 and 17) they went on to college. Neither of them lived at home while in school, but did stay with us during the school breaks. They earned their way through school and needed little to no assistence. They are both now well employed and own their own houses.

Would I reccommend this to everyone NO. But I do not beleive that children (in the U.S.A.) should not be living with their parents if they are out of school. I have yet to see a news paper where the help wanted section was empty.

Just saying....

My son just turned 19...he graduated college with a great trade and can't find a job in his trade. I wont kick him out unless he becomes a jerk faced ***hole.

I hope he is out soonish tho because that means he has a job and is moving forward in his life..right now he seems to be stuck at that tween stage...wanting to be back in school because no stress and wanting to grow up and leave home but can't because no job...

What do you do...

I personally left at 19...joined the military to just get out...moved back when the aforementioned son was born for a bit but not for long....

If the kid does not go off to college after high school, they have one year. In that one year they should be able to gather enough finances to move out. Either way, one year and out. If they go off to higher education, then staying at home is not an issue. During that one year of course we dont charge rent or food. They are responsible to maintain a full time job and required to save 80% of their paycheck. Any big ticket purchase and they are out.

I'm 29 and live at home, I also work full time and go to school, and could give zero f*cks.

I work full time too and go to school AND raise a family. I dont think the "i'm working and going to school" excuse is valid. Most people are doing the same thing, while supporting themselves. I would say at almost 30, you are probably overstaying your welcome.

I most def am, but at the same time it's not an issue in my house. Do people judge me for it? yeah sure, but I have thick enough skin and other things to worry about in life that actually matter. Being in a relationship with someone who also lives at home because of their own financial difficulties gives me really no reason to move out at this point and time. Whats the point of paying 700 a month to live by myself. Until my current situation is unpleasant for both parties, or my girl is ready to make that move then why waste the money? I also have no urge in participating in other society norms as far as starting a family or getting married unless it's for health care reasons (a view she shares.) So, maybe my line of thinking is different then others.

I moved out when I was 18 and back in when I was 23 because of a divorce and incredible financial strain. I'm 26 now and my parents are not rushing me to move out. My sister just moved out and she's 28. I don't have as much financial strain right now, but I'm still not in a totally stable situation (the job market is super slow and competitive for my trade, but and I'm not sure whether or not I want to go on to get my MA), so I'm kind of just floating around until I finally snag a permanent job and / or my boyfriend and I start talking about living with each other. It was always a thing with my parents that they understand how hard it can be to keep yourself afloat, but I have my own goal of being moved out in the next year or two.

I left at 18 for uni, but I never went back

I can't even stand staying at home for more then a week now. Me and my mum do things differently, and it doesn't work. I have my own ways of living, cleaning, and I am now used to having privacy.

I moved out at 18, when I left for college

I moved out when I was 20, a couple months after I got my associates degree. It was the best thing I ever did, especially when I see that some of my friends (at 31) are still living with their parents. By 21 I had purchased a condo and started a business without any financial help from my parents.

I moved out at 18, I think it was too early.. but I felt like I had no choice. it sucked, I didn't have the money, but I could share the expenses .. I really wasn't prepared though. I think maybe 20 would be better, if you have a job or some savings. but if you have to move to study, then .. well it's another thing

Left for college at 18 and had no desire to live with my parents ever again after that. I had an apartment with roommates pretty much until my late 20's, then moved in with my husband. That's what all my college friends did. I can't think of one person who moved back in with their parents after school ended. And that's not because anyone was making huge amounts of money. Most people were waiting tables or doing temp office jobs and sharing a cheap apartment. I'd want my kids to do the same thing when they're old enough. If they're making money, they're paying their own way.

ETA - I graduated college in the early 90s when the economy was as crappy as it is now.

We are in the midst of this issue. My future stepson just graduated high school, and is starting community college. He lives with his mother. His mother thinks we should be helping pay "room and board" to her while he is living with her. We think he's 18 and should get a job and pay his own way contributing to her household. (ps, we still pay child support for their other child - enough that the mother is not living in poverty or strapped for cash). And yes, we are offering to have him move in with us, and wouldn't require her to pay us anything, but would require him to get a job and start paying his own food, gas, insurance, phone, extras, we will take care of rent.

I worked two jobs in high school to save for college, starting at 16, I have a huge problem that this kid doesn't have (or isn't being pushed to have) at least a parttime job at the age of 18. I currently work full time, carry a fulltime course load for school, and raise 3 children, I have very little tolerance for slackers. I have no problem with kids staying at home through college, to ease the financial burden, but I do believe that they should be contributing members of the household, and I do believe that community college is no excuse to not have a parttime job. And as soon as they have gained the financial income level to be independent, it's time to learn to fly, kiddos.

I'm very close to my parents and love them so much, everything I have, my life, my talents, my education, my character, all of that and much more is because of them, and I'm forever grateful for that.... So I didn't want to leave them and moved out only when I got married first time - I was 21.

But I still trying to spend more time with my parents. Sometimes I spend my weekends with them or do a vacation together. Right now I'm planning a weekend retreat for them in Milan with La Scala opera date. I love them so much, God bless them.

If it was my parents choice I'd still be living with them, lol.

i moved out at 18...and moved back in at 29 (life happened; circumstances that dictated it'd make more sense to live under the parental roof, etc.). i plan on being there until next spring.

A couple of my friends moved back home after college and stayed for several years. Rent free. Genius, 3 years of no rent, no mortgage, lots of free food and laundry services.

I don't live in a nest. Nor did I ever. I also don't know how to fly.

That is so, so sad. Did you come from an egg though?

Don't we all come from eggs?