Failure to Launch: When Your Kid Moves Out… and Then Moves Back

It finally happened. Your child — your pride and joy — spread their wings and flew the nest. You helped them pack, waved them off with a tear in your eye, and maybe even did a little celebratory dance in their now-empty bedroom. You were free. No more laundry piles mysteriously appearing in the hamper. No more disappearing leftovers. No more debates over whether "technically, 2 a.m. is still the night."

You had big plans for that empty space—an office, a guest room, maybe even a home gym (that you'd use exactly twice). Life was peaceful. And then… they came back.

Easily book your unit online right now within 15 minutes! Reserve online with no obligation or reservation fees.

Step 1: The Grand Departure

The day your kid moved out was bittersweet. Sure, you got a little emotional watching them pack their bags and cram their entire life into a rented moving van, but deep down, you knew this was the natural order of things. They were off to start their exciting new adult life—paying bills, cooking their own meals, and finally understanding why you always turned off unnecessary lights.

You stood at the door, waving them off, full of pride and just a little excitement about what you'd do with their room. A library? A yoga studio? The possibilities were endless.

Download our "Get More Space" guide to declutter your house in just 3 weeks

Step 2: The Reality Check

At first, their calls were full of confidence:

"Everything’s great, Mom! I love my new place."

"Adulting is so easy, Dad. I don’t know why you guys always complained about bills!"

Then, cracks began to show. First, they asked how to get a stain out of a shirt. Then they needed help unclogging a drain. Then they admitted they maybe hadn’t budgeted properly and maybe rent was more expensive than they thought.

Before long, their calls were less about independence and more about nostalgia.

"Do you still make Sunday roast?"

"Hey, can I swing by to do some laundry? My machine is broken (I mean, I haven’t figured out how it works)."

"Do you ever just… miss home?"

Step 3: The Return

Then, the moment you saw coming but hoped wouldn’t happen:

"So, funny story… My lease is up, and I’ve decided to come home for a bit. Just, you know, to save some money. It’s temporary, I promise!"

And just like that, your yoga studio dreams were crushed under a pile of hastily packed moving boxes. Your once-empty hallway was now a maze of oversized beanbags, gaming consoles, and mystery cables that "they might need someday." Your house had been re-invaded.

Step 4: The Storage Solution

Let’s be honest—your home wasn’t designed to be a revolving door for boomerang kids. Their childhood bedroom, once filled with stuffed animals and school trophies, now barely fits their adult-sized furniture, their ten pairs of sneakers, and their growing collection of "essential" kitchen gadgets.

This is where we come in. Instead of letting their clutter take over your carefully curated new life, you can store their extra stuff safely and affordably. With a variety of unit sizes, secure facilities, and special offers like 50% off the first three months and free move-in transport, Rent-A-Store ensures that your home stays liveable—without turning into a storage facility.

Step 5: Setting Boundaries (For Everyone’s Sanity)

Now that your grown-up child has moved back in, it’s time for some ground rules.

• Laundry services are no longer complimentary. If they’re old enough to move out, they’re old enough to separate lights from darks.
• The fridge is not a free-for-all. That artisanal cheese was yours, and you know it.
• The spare key is for emergencies, not for treating your house like an Airbnb.
• A move-out timeline is essential. You love them, but this is temporary, right? Right?

Step 6: The (Second) Launch

Eventually, they’ll get back on their feet. Maybe they’ll save enough for a better apartment. Maybe they’ll land that dream job. Maybe they’ll finally realize that home-cooked meals come at a cost—your sanity.

And when they’re ready to move out (again, for real this time), you won’t have to watch them struggle to haul their life from your garage or attic. Their stuff will be neatly stored away at Rent-A-Store, ready to go whenever they are.

Final Thoughts: You Love Them… But Your Space Matters Too

Having your kid move back home isn’t the end of the world—but that doesn’t mean you have to live in chaos. Rent-A-Store is here to help both of you navigate this phase without turning your home into a storage unit.

So, let them come back. Feed them, love them, and pretend you’re not counting down the days until they leave again. And in the meantime, store their extra baggage (literally) somewhere safe—just in case this cycle repeats itself.