Reader\'s Digest Canada - 05.2020

FULLER

HOUSE

How to keep the peace with

three generations living under one roof

MY MOTHER-IN-LAW, Georgii, loves to

spoil her grandchildren. Until recently,

I’ve always cherished this aspect of her

personality. The indulgences she offers

our three sons aren’t excessive: home-

baked treats or some extra screen time.

She gives our kids a reprieve from the

stricter limits that my wife, Lynn, and

I impose upon them, which was part

of what made visiting Oma so special.

Then she moved in.

It’s been five years since we consoli-

dated our two households into one, with

Lynn bringing her parents—Georgii

and my father-in-law, John—into our

home. It turns out we were on trend;

according to Statistics Canada, from

2011 to 2016, the number of three-

generation homes grew by 38 per cent.

In theory, the move was a win-win-

win. Georgii and John would live far

more affordably than at any seniors’

residence. Lynn and I, both with busy

careers, would get odd-hours care for

the kids. And the boys would always

have loving family members around.

BY Philip Preville

illustration by deshi deng

76 may 2020

LIFE LESSON