My parents lived with my family of 7 after selling their house. There were challenges, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

"Two months after delivering my fifth baby - a traumatic, whirlwind event that involved a placental abruption , a preemie, and a NICU stay - my parents moved in with us. The move was intended to be temporary, as they had sold their house and needed a place to stay until they could close on their new home."

"The first time my parents moved in , they stayed for only three months. They moved in shortly after school had started for my four oldest children, and having them there turned out to be a huge blessing in disguise. Although they both worked full-time, my mom was around in the late afternoons and evenings to help me with the kids and their activities."

"She also frequently folded endless loads of laundry for me in the morning and even would sometimes take the baby's first morning feeding while I slept in longer, since she tended to wake up early. In fact, my daughter's first smiles happened on the couch with her grandma."

Sixty-year-old parents lived with a family of seven on and off for over two years because of a home sale, a problematic second house, and pandemic-related delays. They moved in two months after the family's fifth child was born following a traumatic delivery with a placental abruption, a preemie, and a NICU stay. The initial three-month stay overlapped with the children's fall sports season, enabling the mother to help with late afternoons, evenings, laundry, and early morning baby feedings. The co-residence created practical support at a crucial time, produced challenges, and ultimately fostered gratitude and closer family bonds.

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