Failure to launch not all that bad
Harbour City Star (Nanaimo) Saturday, August 12, 2006
Regarding the story, Failure to launch keeping grown kids at home longer, Oceanside Star, Aug. 5.

Thanks to the Calgary Herald's editorial regarding failure to launch kids for reminding us that "Sky-high real estate prices" and "escalating tuition fees" contribute to our grown children living at home with their parental units.

While I generally agree with the editorial's premise, there is also "something unnatural" about employers paying wages that are less than what the cost of living will bear.  Regardless, no matter how well prepared for a work-a-day life, with a five-figure student loan debt and decent monthly rental accommodation averaging at least $600 - $800/ month it's small wonder families are banding together to pool their resources.

As for "sponging off the folks", it's not sponging if the folks wholeheartedly invite their young to return to the nest.  I know of a family whose daughter found herself on B.C. Benefits Disability after over 20 years of nursing, and who has said she wouldn't have survived if it wasn't for accommodation in her mother's home because the government allowance barely supports decent shelter and nutritional needs let alone anything else.

Liz Stonard Coombs