Search Dating Articles: Search  
Meet Someone New Dating, butterflies, romance... it all happens here.
I’m a
Seeking a
Age
to
Location
Find My Match   Advanced Search
GET STARTED
Create Profile Create Your
Personals Profile
Let the person you are looking for find you! Creating a profile is free, so get started now. Create a Profile  
RELATIONSHIPS
You asked..."Move in With His Mom and Dad?"

Experts and readers answer our members' toughest dating and relationship questions

By Jeff Cohen, Kristin Cavins, and Donna Sozio Updated: Sep 12, 2008
You Asked...
RATING THIS ARTICLE
Average (9 votes) stars Rate it: Sign in to rate!
"My boyfriend and I have been together since Thanksgiving of last year. In this short period of time, we've moved in together and, unfortunately, the lack of preparation has taken a financial toll on both of us and now he's moving back to his parents for the sake of saving up for our future. We have plans for marriage and buying a home together. My dilemma is that I've already had two experiences living with boyfriends and their families and they've proven to be a disaster. My current boyfriend's mother keeps urging me to bite the bullet, trust her and move in, but I'm apprehensive. I know the potential damage it could cause my relationship and would prefer to play it safe and stay independent. What should I do?" -- Salina Y., 27, San Francisco, California
 
Jeff Cohen Answers
Dear Salina -- You know the saying: "Three strikes and you're out." You've had two bad experiences living under one roof with a boyfriend and his family. So maybe it's time to listen to your intuition and avoid strike three. It sounds like you have the financial wherewithal to remain independent, so go for it. Besides, his mom shouldn't be voting anyway. This is an issue between you and your boyfriend to resolve.
“Give it a trial period, say three months, of living on your own, and see what happens with the relationship.”
Give it a trial period, say three months, of living on your own, and see what happens with the relationship. Ninety days is a long time in relationship land, so situations can change rapidly. Maybe your boyfriend will land a better job and make more money. Maybe you'll like the buffer of your own place. Either way, if the plan fails, you can always consider moving in three months from now. So keep your independence while you can and you'll avoid intermingling the relationship and the in-laws.
Jeff Cohen is the author of "Dating, Inc.," a new book that shows women a step-by-step plan for finding true love using the same skills that already make them successful at work.
Kristin Cavins Answers
Hi Salina -- You already know your answer, based on both your previous experiences and your strong inclination to not repeat the past. Listen to yourself, play it smart and stay independent.Your relationship is between you and your boyfriend. His mother really shouldn't be urging you to move in with the entire family. Sounds like Disaster #3 in the making.
Your first plan of moving in together was not well thought out, and now you are in a financial predicament.
“The solution to this problem is not to create an even bigger one”
The solution to this problem is not to create an even bigger one but rather to learn from this mistake and make better decisions. If your boyfriend wants to move back home in order to save money for your future, then by all means that is his decision.
I don't see any downside whatsoever to not moving in with your boyfriend's family. This allows you the chance to continue building your relationship with him, while maintaining your own living space and privacy. I do question if your boyfriend has cut the apron strings with Mom. You may want to address this with him; otherwise you could end up with Mom being in the middle of your relationship for years to come. And that can cause havoc whether you are all under the same roof or many miles away.
Enjoy your independence while creating a strong relationship with your boyfriend. The best of both worlds!
Kristin Cavins, M.A., LMHC is a psychotherapist who specializes in dating and relationships, and provides online and phone counseling. She is on the web at keycounselingservices.com
Donna Sozio Answers
Dear Salina -- You said it. Lack of preparation takes a toll. And I applaud you for not wanting to pay another one. Now put on your thinking shoes. Get it out of your head and put it on paper. What is the price you'll pay emotionally, spiritually, mentally and physically to "save money" by moving in with your boyfriend's family? Put a dollar figure on it. Match it up against the money you think you'll be saving. Poof! Just like magic, your answer will become crystal clear.
Remember that your source of love doesn't come from romantic relationships. It comes from self-love that overflows onto your romantic relationships. The point is not to make the best of an uncomfortable situation. Move in the direction of self-love and inner peace. Do this even in the face of open arms.
“Everyone has their own agenda, so forget about people-pleasing.”
Everyone has their own agenda, so forget about people-pleasing. When you trust yourself and act on your instincts, future resentments and disasters remain a non-issue because you've already disposed of the fuel for the fire.
If you do decide to move in, at least this time take a different approach. Think in specifics. How much time do you need to save for a wedding and home? Set up a tangible and executable exit plan with milestones. No wiggle waggles. Do the math. Since you and your boyfriend are talking marriage, hash it out before you walk down the aisle.
Okay. That was the Good Cop. Now, here's the Bad Cop. What are you thinking? Why is this the third time you've chosen a man who still needs mommy and daddy? There must be a payoff for you somewhere, otherwise you would choose different men. Before you move in, you might want to consider moving on. This man may be just another repeat of your pattern of choosing dependent men.
Relationship wit Donna Sozio is the author of "Never Trust a Man in Alligator Loafers." Her sound sole advice can be found online at donnasozio.com.
Want more answers?
What's your question?
If you're a Yahoo! Personals member with an active profile, you're eligible to submit a question. We'll select challenging questions for experts and readers to answer. Submit your question here
Now it's your turn to answer this question. Yahoo! Personals reserves the right to delete any off-topic comments from readers.
Leave a comment COMMENTS15 COMMENTS
1-10 of 15 First | < Prev | Next > | Last
No Photo
I believe you can&#39;t judge the out come based on your past relationships.That is like me saying I can&#39;t trust you because my ex lied to me. This is not the same guy. I personally would of avoided this position best I could. But yea this isnt the same guy as the last two and the family is not the same. I say give a trail period of moving in but let him know that if it becomes to much or stressfull that you&#39;r going to move out. And if he really wants you two to work out he will be accepting of that and will respect you and not let anything change if you do move out.
A Yahoo! Contributor
From my experience ones intuition is seldom wrong. If your gut is telling you not to move in then its probably correct. Perhaps it is your boyfriend who should consider not moving in with his parents and instead find an alternative to this situation. Maybe a second job or cutting expenses, what ever it is he should have a good long discussion with you about it and set goals with you. Ultimatley it is also not a good idea to introduce other people into a relationship no matter how well intentioned they may be.
A Yahoo! Contributor
I know how you feel and what it is like to live with a boyfriends parents. It is smart to go by your gut feeling but also remember each relationship and man is different. If your feeling is to wait than wait and if he really loves you he will go with it and wait with you. 90 days is a long time but not that long at least you both will be positive and know for sure hopefully by the end of the waiting period you gave. I know it takes awhile to save money for a house and it is different when you live in an appartment alone together too. Some couples are able to save while living on their owm and some are not able to depending on the carreer and it is understandable. So I know and understand why your boyfriend is doing what he is doing so hopefully you both can save faster. This is a big purchace and decision, also marriage is a very big decission as well. Like I said it is better to be really really sure about your future plans.
No Photo
I m seeking for someone who wants to have fun, hangs out with family and friends. I like to work out, go bowling, shoot pool , have fun in the snow and ride 4 wheelers.
No Photo
Each situation is different. Its fair and appropriate to take lessons learned from previous expericne with you, but it is unfair to both of you to let the past rule to present. Take leanred tools with to use, and use the appropriate tool for the appropriate job. You and your boyfriend are considering doing what many thousands of couples once did as a matter of course while saving for a marriage and a home. If you are not of a mind to live apart and save for your marriage and your home, consider that every bargain has it&#39;s trade offs. His mother my may love you and wish the best for both of you. Yet consider this adage: There can be only One. In any home with more than one female, there can be only one Top Girl. However well intentioned, the opportunites for normal, everyday, family friction will be there, no more and no less than in any healthy home. He needs to be clear about boundaries, and so do you, and so will his parents, his mother in particular. And you will ned to accept that you will most likely have to compromise about something you wish not to, and perhaps relinquish an independent voice while you are living under someone else&#39;s roof. It will feel unfair, and challenging. It might very well work out. Being prepared before hand will help you both decide whats best your the both of you.
A Yahoo! Contributor
She needs to quite finding these mama&#39;s boys, 3 guys in a row - no one is that unlucky ........ or maybe they were financially well off - until she gets a hold of them????????????
A Yahoo! Contributor
If she can live on her own, why doesn&#39;t he just move in with her and find a temporary job? She can fully fund for herself, it seems, and any income he makes will help. He&#39;s 27- He shouldn&#39;t be moving back in with mom and dad, and the last thing his mother should be telling her is to move win with her. That raises a red flag to me. It sounds like his mother wants control of their living situation. If his mom really wanted to help, she might, oh say, give them a loan to pay off a few months rent that they could repay her in the future. At least that would offer both independent living, whereas living in HER house makes them both dependent- and that is probably, and sadly, something mom is hoping for. She needs to be careful.
A Yahoo! Contributor
Relationship issues aside, let&#39;s talk financial logic. Does it make sense for her to keep her own place while he lives with mommy & daddy? Maybe what they need is budget counseling. I&#39;ve been married for 17 years and unfortunately my husband got some rather strongly opinionated in&#39;laws. Good thing I don&#39;t like to be told what do do by them either!
A Yahoo! Contributor
living with in-laws isn&#39;t something i&#39;d advise. u are exposing yourself and in the end they will know too many things they dont need to know about u and vice versa. for respect between both parties there should be an element of mystery. if your man wants to live with his parents, cool. it doesnt mean u have to do the same. your relationship can still work even if you dont live together. after all its not like u married. u myt be surprised to find out that u prefer to live alone after all.
A Yahoo! Contributor
OMG!!! Don&#39;t give in!! You will not only lose your own space but your sanity too! Trust me, I have been through it twice too:(
1-10 of 15 First | < Prev | Next > | Last
imageLEAVE A COMMENT

You must sign in to leave a comment

Dating Articles  |  Success Stories  |  Browse By Location  |  5-Star Safety  |  Gift Subscription  |  Site Map
Copyright © 2008 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.  |  Legal  |  Jobs  |  Help
NOTICE: We collect personal information on this site. To learn more about how we use your information, see our Privacy Policy.