It can be great living with your family, you've usually got someone to chat to and you might be lucky enough to get your meals cooked for you. It's not always easy though, and we've put some tips together for dealing with problems.

Getting On Together

Families are generally there for each other but that doesn’t mean you always get on with each other. Sometimes parents struggle to see you as an adult or sometimes younger brothers and sisters can get just that bit too annoying.

It’s a good idea to try and give each other space and not take advantage of each other. House rules might seem petty to you but they could make the difference between a peaceful life and a home full of arguments.

If things are really bad and you can't sort them out yourself, you might want to try an organisation called Family Mediation Scotland. Family Mediation helps parents who are separating or divorcing make their own arrangements and plans for the future, especially on the subject of their children. You can find more information on the Family Mediation Scotland website.

Bills

Every family is different when it comes to sorting out bills. Some parents don’t expect you to contribute to bills if you are studying, some want you to help out if you are working. If your parents ask you to contribute it’s a good idea to work up an agreement so everyone knows where they stand.

It can be hard to know what the ‘right’ amount is to contribute, some families just want a small amount to help towards bills, some want you to pay your full share of everything. If you’re not sure about what you’re paying ask your friends to see what they pay (your parents are probably asking their friends as well!). If you use the landline phone it’s fair to expect that you pay for all your calls, and towards the line rental. 

Check out our Money information if you want to know more about budgeting and managing your money to pay those bills.

Having People To Stay

This can be a tricky one, you might be old enough to sleep with your girlfriend/boyfriend but your parents might not like it! This doesn’t have to be about your partner, maybe you want some mates to stay over because it’s easier to get to your place after you’ve been for a night out.

Check with your family, and even if they say it’s ok to have a friend or your partner to stay over anytime, they’ll appreciate you mentioning it beforehand so they know to expect to see them around the house.

If you’re having anyone over to stay remember to make it as easy as possible for the rest of your family by keeping the noise down and not hogging the bathroom or making the world’s biggest breakfast (mess and all).

If you’re not allowed people over don’t fly off the handle, keep calm and reasonable, you might have to prove that you and your friend(s) can be trusted.

Helping Out At Home

Not many people enjoy doing housework, and that includes your parents. Although some won’t expect you to help out as long as you pay your way, others like you to ‘do your bit’. You might also prefer to tidy your bedroom yourself anyway! If you really don’t like doing the vacuuming you can always try and negotiate to swap it for something else like cleaning the bathroom. Be prepared to find out that everyone else in the house hates vacuuming too!