27 Jul My college graduate isn’t looking for work. What to do?

Q. My son graduated from college but he’s not working yet. He’s moved back home and says he just needs a break. But the summer is ending and he hasn’t done anything yet. Should I charge rent? Should I insist he work?
— Parent

A. Graduating from college is exciting, but it can also be a little scary — for both of you.

While you want to support your son, you probably don’t want him living at home and depending on your financially for the long haul.

Start by managing his expectations.

While you may not feel comfortable setting a deadline for him to get a job, it’s perfectly reasonable, and healthy, for you to come up with some rules while he’s living in your home.

That deadline will have to be part of the conversation.

For example, you could tell him that he needs to get a full-time job within six months. That gives him time to look without shocking his system with an immediate requirement from you.

As part of this, you can make the kind of support you’re willing to give more official. For example, you can offer a small amount of spending money for that six-month timeframe, and after that, tell him he will have to pay for himself.

As for rent, make your expectations part of the plan. Perhaps you’ll allow him to live rent-free for a certain time period with the condition that he save a certain percentage of his income for a down payment on an apartment and an emergency fund for when he’s on his own.

Just remember that as you want to support him within reason, we’re looking at a good job market. Even if he can’t find his dream job right away, there’s nothing from stopping him from getting another kind of job, even as a delivery driver, while he continues the search.

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This story was originally published on July 27, 2023.

NJMoneyHelp.com presents certain general financial planning principles and advice, but should never be viewed as a substitute for obtaining advice from a personal professional advisor who understands your unique individual circumstances.