Built-in babysitter and a constant companion: This is multigenerational living
A woman shares her experience of living in a multigenerational home with her mother, husband, and three children in Adelaide.
Cat Williams describes her decision to move into her family's 19th-century home in Adelaide with her mother, husband, and children after her father's move to a nursing home due to dementia. The shift to a multigenerational living arrangement was prompted by her desire to keep her mother from living alone in a large home, as well as to enjoy family time together while ensuring the children's proper education. The arrangement consolidates the family asset and can contribute significantly to emotional support and logistics for the family. Living with her mother provides benefits beyond sharing expenses; it brings a sense of companionship for both generations. Cat highlights that her mother serves as a built-in babysitter, which allows her to manage her personal and professional responsibilities more efficiently. As they navigate everyday life, they create a support network that enhances the quality of family time and strengthens relationships across generations, redefining how modern families can coexist in a shared environment. This trend towards multigenerational living is becoming increasingly popular in Australia, stemming from economic realities and cultural shifts. It reflects a move toward communal living where families can support each other, officially blurring the lines between generations in housing arrangements. As society evolves, such living situations may become a viable alternative or an attractive solution for many families facing contemporary challenges in housing and care for elderly relatives.