Annual “my kid graduated and is back home” thread

[Anonymous]

Thought this might be an interesting counterpoint to the other thread about parental emotions regarding kids leaving for school.

Our child just returned home after graduating from a prestigious program at an elite school but has decided to pursue a career independent of Corporate America. They're showing a lot of initiative, but this isn’t what we expected.

Other experiences with boomerang kids?

[Anonymous]

Is this “career” earning him any money?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this “career” earning him any money?

About $30k right now, but it’s an entrepreneurial venture. Not a tech company, per se. We’re fine with it as long as they diligently work at it. It will be interesting to see where it goes for a few years. Can always pivot.

Always thought it would be “make a lot money first, then pivot,” but this has become, “do what I want first, then pivot, if necessary.”

[Anonymous]

Mine graduated and is back home. Countless applications, great network, internships all four years + paid graduate teaching assistantship. The company he interned for in sophomore year was pretty much a guarantee, but he avoided formally applying until it was his only option— a fall back card, so to speak. Salary was likely 65k.

He liked the founder and the team, but he said he wouldn’t be happy plugging away in a cubicle, making calls, and tapping a keyboard all day. He also didn’t want the corporate world. His experience from 2018 to present has been SBEs and startups.

He stopped shotgunning apps two weeks before graduation to enjoy the celebrations and spend time with friends. They had to pack up their apartment for scheduled movers. He called me to chat, we talked about coming home to take a break and regroup. Some of his college friends had return offers, others delayed start or rescinded. Some decided on grad school, but many 2025 grads were without a job offer. HS friends were coming home too.

Once he switched off the job platform screens, he got an Instagram notification from a startup in our area. He applied for the management position and instead of using the job platform, he emailed a cover letter and his resume directly to the HR rep. She emailed him immediately, scheduled interview with VP, offer in less than 24 hours. Salary range was 70-80k. They asked him what he’d be ok with. He said he couldn’t accept anything less than 75 because NYC. Contract offer 77+3k sign on bonus.

His boss is a very well known person whose name is Tom. Lol

[Anonymous]

DS is home. Couldn't find an internship during UG, but worked at a golf course and for campus recreation during college. He's had interviews, but nothing secured yet. He wants to find a job ASAP so he can hang out with his buddies and gf outside of our house.

[Anonymous]

Do boomerang kids include ones who have a job but have chosen to live at home?

My oldest had a fantastic job lined up by Thanksgiving of his senior year. It was local so he decided to move home to save some money. He thought he'd be home for a year and it ended up being two years. The positives - we had a built in dog sitter. I work very part time so I enjoyed having someone home during the days when I was at home - his job is 90% remote so he was working from home. I genuinely enjoy his company. The negatives - DS is messy and would leave his c*&p everywhere. He's not super helpful and never takes the initiative to do any housework. I didn't want to nag a 23 year old but at the same time, I would get frustrated that he never did anything to help: wouldn't unload the dishwasher, wouldn't take the trash out, etc.

We charged DS a nominal amount of money to help pay for the extra groceries. In the two years at home, he was able to save a significant amount of money. Most of DS' friends who were local were also living at home for at least their first year. He still has two friends at home but everyone else is out on their own but they all have roommates. And our only "rule" was to let us know his schedule: are you going to be home for dinner tonight? Are you spending the night with friends?

Our middle DS just graduated and also has a local job that starts next month. He plans to stay home at least a year. He's much better about helping around the house and not leaving his stuff everywhere. His job is 100% in person so I won't have him here at home with me during the day. DS went to school here in the DMV but lived on campus. He has a serious girlfriend he met at school but she is from out of the area so she's at home this summer. She is still in college and will be returning to school right when he starts his job. My guess is we may not see him on the weekends.

So overall, our experience has been positive but with a few frustrations.

[Anonymous]

Mine graduated and had a job from his internship lined up. He's making $90K and they are supporting certifications in his field. The plan is he's at home for year to save money. His job is 1-2 days in office/week but super flexibly ie he has a friend living at the beach this summer so he spent a week there and worked remotely. Anyhow, I enjoy my kid and he's relatively helpful/clean, he also lets us know what he's doing re dinner/when he'll be back. For us it's working.