INVESTMENT
up their minds about committing to jobs, careers, life partners. And
the process has not just stretched out – it’s segued from a wellunderstood
and accepted linear progression to a Moebius strip or
a double helix. Millennials and Zs may stay home throughout their
university careers, stay at university until they’re 30, and then meet
someone special. They may even have a child or two in their 30s.
And they may move into a new home, or they may not. And, even
if they do, the chances are pretty good they will move back in with
Mom and Dad, so best not to turn Johnny’s bedroom into a home
gym just yet. And here’s where it gets interesting. While the kids
may move back into the family home – with or without partners
and/or children – they may well find their parents going back to
university to maybe do that arts degree they really wanted to do
instead of being sensible and doing engineering or commerce. Or
perhaps – and this really is not at all uncommon – Mum and Dad
may well ‘retire’ from the jobs they’ve been doing for years, and find
whole new careers.
So how do we cope?
That’s a good question. How can you plan for a life and family
trajectory that seems to be spiralling out of control subject to
no known rules? You loosen up a bit, you plan for change, and
craft your lifestyle and your living space around possibilities – not
prescriptions. Life’s an adventure – grab it with both hands.
Jennifer Stern