The housing crisis is hitting many countries in the world. The result is that many households that once lived separately are coming together under one roof. These families have grandparents, parents, and their children, all living in one setting. Multigenerational housing has become part of the solution as it helps reduce housing and care costs.


However, just like every coin has two sides, multigenerational housing has its challenges. In this article, we highlight these challenges to help you understand the dynamics of this phenomenon that is here to stay.

Less privacy

One of the main problems that people in multigenerational families face when living together is less privacy. People who live as a single-family unit have more space than those who live together, which gives them more liberty and privacy. This problem is especially prevalent when families start moving into the same house. Young adults and grandparents who have grown accustomed to living alone are especially affected by multigenerational life. Many families who live together in such settings have made it easy to transition by assigning each person their private space where they can go and unwind when they need to be away from other people. Also, imposing simple rules such as knocking doors before entering can help with multigenerational settings. However, some families do not have space for each person to retreat, which poses a challenge for them.

Tension within the family

Even a typical household develops tension every once in a while. Multigenerational families can be a breeding ground for hatred, and relationships that were once close can fester quickly. As a family, take time to identify any potential cause of problems before deciding to come together and form a new household. It would help if you understood that disagreements still come up in homes like these, and they can be challenging to solve because multiple parties are involved. Sources of tension include finances, household responsibilities, and differences in parenting styles. It would also be helpful to address problems that arise as soon as possible before they become sources of family strife.

More household duties

A multigenerational family means more rooms to clean, dishes to wash, and larger laundry loads than the standard family. There are more children in such kinds of households and more members as well, which means that you generally have to do more about cleaning and maintenance. Such situations tend to make some members of the family, especially those who love to maintain tidy environments. Different housekeeping standards create tension within the family as a result. If you live in a multigenerational setting, rotating household jobs would be helpful.

Upgrades and remodeling

As more members get into the household, you will need to remodel and renovate the space to suit their needs. Sometimes, space may need to be added, or adjustments may be made. Some of the changes that will be made include upgrading for a new baby or retrofitting for senior members of the family. When these changes need to be done, it could be useful to share costs equitably and schedule for these changes to be made conveniently.

Issues with social distancing

Today, the novel Coronavirus is threatening the lives of people. Many governments have resorted to asking their citizens to maintain social distance. However, being in a multigenerational home setting can make it challenging to maintain a safe distance. If one person in the household catches the virus, there is a probability that the rest of the family can suffer. Elderly Persons, especially, can be vulnerable to the infection, which means that these circumstances can work against them.

What are the available alternatives?

After analyzing the multigenerational housing phenomenon, it is clear to see that there are both pros and cons to this arrangement. However, it does not mean that nothing can be done. Living in a multigenerational setting can be difficult, but with the right amount of love and care, you can make it through. If, however, you see that this arrangement does not fit your family, you can make adjustments to ensure that everyone is happy. Senior members of the family, especially, need a living arrangement that caters to their needs. With the right approach, you can talk to them about residences and home care options. While this may be an awkward conversation, it might be the best step to take because these homes are specially designed to cater to the issues people face in old age. These homes have the right professionals to cater to their needs and are built to help them cope with mobility issues that they may develop.

Living in a multigenerational setting has both advantages and disadvantages/challenges. It is difficult to maintain social distance; the household duties are more; there are higher chances for family tension and less privacy. However, some solutions can make such living arrangements easier. For instance, talking with the elderly about living in a residence that caters to their needs may go a long way in making both you and your family comfortable. Despite all these, multigenerational living is here to stay.


WRITTEN BY

Brand Voices