10 Signs Your Nest Is No Longer Empty

As of tomorrow, two of the lovelies will be officially living at home. For a while. And don't let the phrase, "for a while" fool you. That could mean a month. Or, it could mean two years. Or, as it seems to be in my case, dear-God-they-are-never-going-to-leave.

Shouldn't I be doing the happy dance of joy that they have returned to the nest? I suppose that would be possible if they didn't revert back to their childhood AS SOON AS THEY WALK THROUGH THE DOOR.

Ok, I'm exaggerating. In reality, it does take about one week for this to happen. But be forewarned people. It DOES happen.

Apparently, there is a title for grown kids moving back in with their parents.

AND, there are books about it:

Which I am thinking of reading since I'm sure it will provide hours of humor (frankly, I could use the laughter.) Because, let's face it, people who write these sorts of books are usually not experienced in that particular aspect of life.

Getting ready for a returning kid is a pain too. I took months to turn one of their previous bedrooms into a craft/office/study space for myself. All mine. All to myself. All others keep the hell out. Now, it's gone.

10 Signs Your Nest is No Longer Empty:

1. Every time you turn around you hear, "Mom?" Which is immediately followed by, "Can I..?" or "Do you know...?" or "Have you seen...?" or "Would you mind...?" 
2. The sink, no matter how many times you wash those dishes, is never empty. NEVER. Although it's never as full as it could be since most of your bowls and eating utensils mysteriously disappear. I still have no idea where my spoons went. 
3. There are always clothes in the washer or dryer. And they're never yours. 
4. You wonder if your all-grown-up-children are deaf because the volume on the television is never below WTF! level. Which is about 10 places above the WTH! level. 
5. Your favorite room in the house becomes your bedroom. With the door closed. And locked. Where you feign sleep so you don't have to answer questions or listen to commentary from an all knowing twenty something year old. 
6. Nothing on the television is less than completely stupid. Or monotonous. Or stupid. Wait, did I mention stupid? 
7. You are caught up on all the current young adult lingo. Which makes you seem over-the-top cool with your elementary students.
8. There is fast food debris everywhere in the car and the house. 
9. You hear, "What's for dinner?" every day. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
10. You become grateful that you are overweight which limits what they can borrow from you. The things they can and do borrow? Don't expect to see those items again. Ever. And technology related items? Hide them. Hide them well. And, had I thought to hide the remote control, my hearing wouldn't be suffering. 

Does the list go on? Sure it does. Haven't I talked to them about these things? Sure I have. Haven't I thought about telling them they have to leave or can't move back in? Sure I have. But, what it all boils down to is this: no matter where your mom is, that is home. And I would NEVER tell one of the lovelies that they could not move back home. 

So, I learn to live with it. And laugh about it. 

Now, why didn't I think of that?

In lieu of selling the house and moving out into such a small space that no one would ever dare come by for a visit much less consider moving in with me, I have decided to take the attitude of Pete the Cat. The moral of Pete's story is that you keep on walking along and singing your song no matter what you step in because--- it's all good.

Thanks, Pete. Your advice is just right. And, I'm quite certain, much more applicable and solid than any Ph.D. 

Keep walkin', y'all. 

What's your experience with boomerang kids?