Mother or Landlord?

The thought of charging rent didn't occur to us when our son first moved back home simply because we knew Matt had no money. We were the ones, after all, who were giving him money for gasoline and incidental expenses. We were the ones helping him clean up his apartment so that he could get his security deposit back. And when he finally found a job, it was only part-time and minimum wage, so it seemed pretty heartless at the time to start charging him rent.

One of the articles I've read about "boomerang kids" suggested charging rent when a son or daughter returns home, putting that money into a savings account, and then giving the money back to them when they move out. I like that idea and wish I had done that. But I didn't, and now it would be awkward. Lesson learned.

I've also self-justified not charging him because I don't think it really costs that much for him to stay here. A little extra electricity maybe and a little more water for showers and laundry and that's about it. And when it comes to food, he really doesn't eat that much at home. He became a fast-food junky when he lived on his own, and continued, to my dismay, to eat out more often than I think is healthy or economical.

Let's face it. I'm his mother first and foremost and the thought of becoming his landlord isn't a comfortable role. Okay, I'll say it. Asking for money from your own child just seems cold.

But, out of the blue, just when I thought there was no hope of change, Matt landed a part-time computer support job--one that pays better than the food service job and will look a lot better on a resume. Could this be the right time to start charging him rent? Something to ponder.