Not Yet: Why “Later” Can Be the Right Launch Timeline for the Young Adult in Your Care

Many of us remember a time when we could earn a living wage and move out on our own at age eighteen. That’s simply no longer the case.

According to the Pew Research Center, approximately half of adults aged 18-29 are living with their parents. If adults who have had a stable home and extensive support need to launch later or return home, imagine the challenges for youth who have experienced family separation, disruption, and instability. Adult children need clear boundaries and expectations, but flexibility is also needed.

Below are some considerations to keep in mind in determining the appropriate “launch time” for the young adult in your life.

  • Trauma history: A gap between developmental age and chronological age is common, due to trauma or other mental health issues. They may need additional time to develop the independent living skills to be on their own.
  • Healing Time: For youth who entered care at older ages, they may have just begun the healing process in a safe, stable, and predictable environment.
  • Lack of support systems: They may lack traditional and natural safety nets that every young adult needs to fall back on when unexpected challenges occur.
  • Attachment Insecurity: The transition to independence can mirror the initial, often unconscious, trauma of loss experienced at the time of family separation. This is particularly true if the individual hasn’t yet reached a secure place in their healing.

We want adult children to thrive, not merely survive. Keeping the door open while they continue developing those crucial independence skills can help a young adult successfully enter their next stage of life as their best and most prepared self.

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