10 Awkward Things About Dating While Living At Home

Ideally you’d get your own place ASAP, but circumstances (read: money) doesn’t always allow that, so you might have to live at home with your parents for longer than you’d like. It’s less stress on your wallet, but more stress for your dating life. Here are some struggles you might relate to if you’re in that situation:

  1. Trying to subtly hide the fact you live at home. It’s normal to hide your baggage at the very beginning of getting to know someone, so you might try to dodge questions about “your place” and meet people in a different location. You worry about how your date will feel when they find out, and you’d rather prolong that conversation for as long as possible.
  2. Breaking the tough news. Any serious discussions can be pretty awkward in a new relationship, and letting someone know that you still live at home can be one of them. It’s best to just state the fact and say it’s temporary. Don’t overcompensate or try to offer too many details — just put it out there and deal wit hit.
  3. Parents knowing more about your dating life than you’d like. If you were living elsewhere, your parents probably wouldn’t know anything, but because you live under their roof, they know how often you’re going on dates, and if you’re actually good at it. As if parents need more ammo against you!
  4. Having to sneak around to have sex. Way to regress to high school! You might have needs, but of course living in your parents’ house will make fulfilling them that much harder. This means very quiet sex in order to not get caught or checking to see if the house is completely empty first. It can be a real downer.
  5. People assuming you’re a total deadbeat. A lot of people know that it’s hard out there in the job market and that many people are living at home. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t people who will turn you down for doing what makes sense financially. If someone starts treating you badly because of this, then ditch them. If you know you’re doing everything you can to better yourself, they don’t deserve you.
  6. People trying to make you their pet project. Instead of running away, some people might actually lean in to the fact you’re living at home and make it their mission to get you out. This could be helpful, but it could be a slippery slope into nagging and resentment. Make it clear that this is something you have to fix yourself.
  7. Getting unwanted dating advice from your parents. Before you go out, your parents might advise you to change your clothes or makeup. If you come back unhappy with your date, they might say you’re being too picky. Parents of course always think they know what you’re doing wrong. You got to love ’em!
  8. Sleepovers (if possible) coming with conditions. Maybe you get into a relationship and your parents like the person. But if they’re strict, chances are the sleeping situation will come with crazy conditions. All you can do is day dream about having your own place one day.
  9. Constantly being asked whether or not you’ve made plans to move out. You’d think people would know that something as big as moving out would be mentioned if it was happening, but some rudely throw shade by asking about your living situation when they already know the answer. All you can do is answer with a brave face.
  10. Introducing people to your parents earlier than you may have wanted. Ideally you’d be able to control this situation, but if they run into each other, you’ll awkwardly have to introduce them. The upside is that once you do it, you no longer have to act like you’re hiding something.
Nicole Weaver is a staff writer for YourTango and regularly contributes to Hollywood, The Bolde, and Proud2BMe. She is a lover of all things entertainment meaning she spends most of her nights in New York binge watching television shows. Follow her on Twitter at @nikkibernice.
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