The things your mum will throw out when you leave home

According to a new study from Big Yellow Self Storage, parents throw out possessions worth £285 when a child grows up and leaves the family home.

Related topics:  At Home
Warren Lewis
27th March 2015
Move

The items children most commonly leave behind, and run the risk of losing, are books (64%), clothes (60%), sentimental items and trinkets (60%) and school memorabilia (56%). Children also leave behind bulkier items, taking up more space, such as sports equipment (27%), furniture (27%) and bikes (21%).

The, some would say, callous, clear out takes place as parents look to make the most of the extra space left behind, with parents waiting an average of six months (187%) before sorting out their child’s room. An eager 15% of parents wait less than two weeks to start the renovations, and one in 12 leave it just one week.

Over a third (39%) of people expect their parents to leave these possessions untouched, just as they left them – so it may come as a shock to those that boomerang back to the roost to find their parents have thrown out, given away and in some cases even sold a sizeable chunk of their items.

It therefore comes as no surprise that one in 10 (11%) of grown-up children argue with their parents at least once a month over the stuff they’ve left behind, with the average child having seven rows a year with parents about their possessions.

Sue Atkins, Parenting Expert, said:“Parents often don’t realise the possessions their loved ones leave behind in a heap have a personal or monetary value, so this alone can cause tensions to rise,”

The inevitable space squeeze caused by people – and their belongings – moving back to the roost is bound to cause friction. While parents will no doubt enjoy having loved ones back in close proximity, home might not feel quite so sweet as people adjust to the new dynamic. This can often lead to arguments as family members seek to reassert the natural order. ”  

When it comes to returning home, parents be warned, as 33 per cent of the so-called boomerang generation admit to bringing home additional belongings equating to a van-full or more.

Some parents may feel prepared for the additional items, but they may not be quite as prepared for the 24 per cent of offspring who return to the family home with their partner, kids and in some cases even pets in tow.

Anthony Chenery, Big Yellow spokesperson, had this to say: “While some choose to move back in with mum and dad to take advantage of familiar creature comforts or free childcare, people are mainly moving home to save on rent or to help save up for a deposit required to buy a property. Although moving back home can provide a sense of stability and security, it can also be a stressful time for both parents and their offspring. Our research has found that 28 per cent admit to feeling the strain on space, due to additional belongings cluttering up the home.

Putting belongings into storage can alleviate tensions and give people a bit more space in return. From just £5 a week and as little as seven days, with storage from the size of a wardrobe to a warehouse, Big Yellow provides multiple options to help ease the pressure of multi-generational living”.

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