I like living with my parents, at least for no more than a month or so. Of course, it helps to keep an apartment to come back to!
I just spent about a month and a half up at their house, just to get away for awhile. It was quiet, peaceful and safe, with lots of grass and a nice garden which I helped my mom with. (I never knew I liked weeding so much, seriously. Mostly in the past I’ve hauled mulch and lifted heavy stuff.)
Anyhow, we have a pretty decent time together. There’s enough room so that we don’t get in each other’s way and can get some space when we need it. We didn’t always get along this well, but we all agree that we’re glad we’ve lived long enough to enjoy each other’s company as adults.
I commuted to work while I was there; it’s about an hour. Otherwise Mom and I went shopping or did household stuff during the day. I am getting to love to cook, so most nights I cooked for them. In the evenings we hung out on the back porch and had extended happy hour and my dad and I watched “NCIS” or “Law and Order” and cracked on the shows. I don’t have the cable where I live so TV is a big treat when I go there.
Anyhow, as much as I love spending long visits with them, I don’t think I could live permanently at home. I’m still pretty used to having my own territory and keeping funky hours. Plus I don’t care for the design of their house… it’s too wide open. I don’t like walking around a lot and it’s like if you forget something you actually have to walk up a lot of steps or what seems to me like a long distance. And look, I’m not talking about a 30 room house either. I’ve just gotten used to a five room apartment. (Hah, I told my mom that I hated walking around a house a lot and she was like, you are so lazy! Yes, I am.) I also like small cozy spaces and my miniscule apartment definitely qualifies.
Also, my folks have a serious hatred of technology. So, no Internet access, no computer, no cell phones. Hell, they just started using a microwave oven about 10 years ago. They’re like Episcopalian Amish people or something. So I do miss the Internet when I’m there.
As far as the Alpha Female stuff. Listen, everybody knows that Mom is the Alpha of All Alphas. What is it they say? When Momma’s happy, everybody’s happy! Honestly though nobody really wears the pants in this family. It’s more like Mom and Daddy both trying to get into the same pair of pants at the same time.
So yes, I like living with my family but it’s always good to have a backup place!