According to a new study from Big Yellow Self Storage, parents throw out possessions worth £285 when a child grows up and leaves the family home.
The items children most commonly leave behind, and run the risk of losing, are books (64%), clothes (60%), sentimental items and trinkets (60%) and school memorabilia (56%). Children also leave behind bulkier items, taking up more space, such as sports equipment (27%), furniture (27%) and bikes (21%).
The, some would say, callous, clear out takes place as parents look to make the most of the extra space left behind, with parents waiting an average of six months (187%) before sorting out their child’s room. An eager 15% of parents wait less than two weeks to start the renovations, and one in 12 leave it just one week.
Over a third (39%) of people expect their parents to leave these possessions untouched, just as they left them – so it may come as a shock to those that boomerang back to the roost to find their parents have thrown out, given away and in some cases even sold a sizeable chunk of their items.
It therefore comes as no surprise that one in 10 (11%) of grown-up children argue with their parents at least once a month over the stuff they’ve left behind, with the average child having seven rows a year with parents about their possessions.
Sue Atkins, Parenting Expert, said: “Parents often don’t realise the possessions their loved ones leave behind in a heap have a personal or monetary value, so this alone can cause tensions to rise,”
The inevitable space squeeze caused by people – and their belongings – moving back to the roost is bound to cause friction. While parents will no doubt enjoy having loved ones back in close proximity, home might not feel quite so sweet as people adjust to the new dynamic. This can often lead to arguments as family members seek to reassert the natural order. ”
When it comes to returning home, parents be warned, as 33 per cent of the so-called boomerang generation admit to bringing home additional belongings equating to a van-full or more.
Some parents may feel prepared for the additional items, but they may not be quite as prepared for the 24 per cent of offspring who return to the family home with their partner, kids and in some cases even pets in tow.