We all know that our parents have to move on at some point. Empty nester syndrome is a thing, but sometimes they start to move on before you’re ready for them to. If you are currently a junior or senior in college, you have probably started to experience the confusing conversations with your parents where they mention downsizing or saying how much they love a nearby area. If you’ve heard them say these things and you’re still attached to your house, then many others know just how you’re feeling. These five tips might be able to help you change your parents mind for just a little longer until you’re actually ready for them to leave.
1) Make sure that you have claimed which pieces of furniture you want before they start downsizing. I guarantee that your favorite couch will be the first thing to go.
2) Remind them that they can’t get rid of you if you still have to come back for holidays or during the summer. They can’t just make you camp out in the backyard.
3) They might be really excited about how much money they got for the new house and brag about “pushing commerce” that day. Make sure to remind them that you are studying 25 hours a day to keep a scholarship that helps them afford this new plush house that they are moving to.
4) Bring up any possible grandkids. Parents are excited to think of the possibility of a little kid coming around and will be willing to accommodate to you if you convince them that saving that childhood item or getting that extra room is all for the grandkids.
5) Make them sentimental about some of the memories that you have from the house. You’re in college. You’ve lived in this house for most of your childhood. You remember Christmas mornings with hot chocolate and watching Elf.
If none of this works and worst comes to worst, try to negotiate. Ask if they would be willing to stay at least until you officially moved out and had a job. Let them know that you are not ready for them to leave. Maybe by them hearing that you’re not ready they will also realize that they aren’t as ready as they thought either. And if that doesn’t work, you might as well claim your favorite couch while you still can.