I suppose I'm a living example of the trend in a way.

I didn't really leave the parental home till I was 28 (despite four years away at University). My father had done a lot more before that age. He married at 25 and had one son by the time he was 28. Now I'm 33 and when he was that age he had two sons both at school and was negotiating to buy his own house for the third time. I've only just bought a house in the last year.

Despite all that, my parents have given me a good grounding in leading an independent life. I only really lived at home for so long because it was convnient for work. As soon as I got another job with travelling involved I moved out to another location nearer to where I needed to be. While still at home I had to do my own ironing, and I needed a fresh shirt and tie every day. My mum taught me several recipes and I was expected to cook at least once a week. I regularly got the vacuum cleaner shoved at me to use and the washing up got regular attention also.

So, now I live in my own house and I can cook, clean and do laundry. I know to pay bills on time and budget to not spend more than I earn. (Except on RU visits!)

One thing I do know is; I spent six weeks living at the parental home between moving into my new house and moving out of the old. It felt very strange. I had to turn up on time for meals. I had to cook for three again. I had to iron clothes weekly, not just when they piled up too much. I had to be aware that other people were around and I couldn't be too loud at night or hog the bathroom in the morning. It was a good feeling to be "free" in my own house again.

Bea"Now I have a lodger, so fight for the bathroom again..."sty