It is common for children to leave home at the age of 18, either to work or to continue their education.
However, these days that is virtually impossible with the current cost of living crisis we are experiencing in Britain.
We struck gold when both of our children were accepted into local universities, which meant they could continue living at home.
The idea of charging them for excavations never even occurred to us. Because they live in such a beautiful home, they can concentrate on their studies and live a young teenage life to the fullest.
Why burden them with bills? Bills and mortgages are two of life’s burdens that cannot be escaped. So while they are under our roof, we want them to be worry-free.
Raj Gill says she doesn’t charge her Raj Gill with her daughter Karam, 21, and son Jeevan, 19, rent to live at home (pictured, the family together)
My kids understand the value of money, and they both have a strong work ethic, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. They have witnessed that both their parents have worked very hard all their lives.
And as soon as she came of age, my eldest child, Karam, she got a job, she did not waste her earnings, and she spent a little, but saved a lot. This was another good example for my younger son.
Karam, 21, is currently studying at university, she just started her fourth year, she interned over the summer and when she returned to university, the company kept her on and gave her a part-time job and she also does volunteer work.
Jeevan, 19, is also currently studying at university, having just started his second year, working two jobs and also volunteering.
They are both good children and hardly have a free moment in the day. Between their studies, jobs, volunteer work, sports and family and friend obligations, they keep themselves busy and active.
They work hard to earn money and understand its value. If they were the kind of kids who squandered money, maybe my attitude would be different.
Fortunately, that is not the case; they have consistently shown us that they are responsible. And they have no right to it; they rarely ask us anything.
I just feel like there’s enough pressure on kids these days, why would I want to put more pressure on them?
We are currently a four income household and don’t get me wrong. I’m one hundred percent sure that if a situation ever arose and we needed them to cooperate, they both would.
Pictured: Raj’s daughter and son Karam and Jeevan who are currently studying in college
This is their home, not a rental. It won’t be long before they’ll have to grow up, and at least they’ll have some sort of savings to help them get on their feet.
Frankly, I don’t know how it will be possible for them to get on the wealth ladder without parental help.
It is becoming increasingly difficult for the young people these days. The majority of my children’s peers still live at home and rent for free, because they basically cannot afford to rent.
My first property purchase was because I had a guarantor that allowed me to get onto the property ladder and that arrangement no longer exists.
Hence the importance of letting my children save as much money as possible.
Also, I’m all about ‘my house, my rules’, can you imagine if I were to charge them rent, and they would try to assert their tenant rights!
The children have chores, and they always have, this was to teach them responsibility and to keep the house running as smoothly as possible.
All four of us are super busy with work, studies and family responsibilities, so everyone has to do their part and do their part.
And fortunately, we don’t currently require them to contribute financially. It is much more important to me that my children earn their own money with a strong work ethic, which will help them grow into adults and build their savings.
And we want them to know that wherever we are, they always have a home, a home without financial strings attached. It’s how I was raised.
Jeevan, 19, is also currently studying at university, having just started his second year, and he works two jobs and also volunteers (pictured, Raj and Jeevan together)
We are South Asian and it was common for a daughter to move from her father’s home to her husbands, thus bypassing rental properties altogether, as it was also common for sons to continue living with parents, again with no financial responsibility for paying the excavation. money, the long-term thinking about this is that the children then take care of the parents until old age and inherit the property and money, etc.
I grew up with the idea that the parental home is also my home, even as a child; it was also a rent-free environment. That is not a right; it’s just the way I was raised.
My parents came to Britain in the early 1970s and had and still have a super strong work ethic, and as soon as we were able to do so we worked with them. We grew up understanding the value of money and hard work.
It was a different time, families all came together and worked as a team and maintained a home. Things are getting harder for today’s youth, and as a parent I don’t want to put pressure on my children by worrying about paying the rent to live in their home.
Every family has different circumstances and we must do what is best for our families.
I hope that my decision not to charge them rent will lead to long-term financial independence for them.
And it ultimately leads to a stronger family bond. It allows them to focus on a career that matches their skills, rather than taking on an old job to make ends meet.
Financial stress can have a negative effect on mental health; we ensure they can focus on career growth, wellbeing and personal development.
Our hope is that we create a stronger intergenerational family bond.