Yes, there have been rows but here's how I've made moving back home work

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Yes, there have been rows but here's how I've made moving back home workImage source, Natasha SumanImage caption, Natasha Suman (right) with her parents, Rita and PawanByDaniel Thomas, Lizzie Asante and Kris BramwellPublished10 minutes agoWhen 24-year-old Natasha Suman moved back into her parents' home in Bedford after university, she only expected it to be for a "few months" while she searched for her first job. But almost three years later, she's still there, saving for a deposit on her first home. The marketing coordinator pays towards bills but doesn't pay rent, so is able to put aside £1,000 a month in a Lifetime ISA - a tax-free account topped up by the government.

That would have been impossible had she lived by herself, she says, given the "cost of living". However, Natasha admits she has "less freedom" than when she lived independently and generally does fewer "spontaneous things". She also argues more with her family than she used to, despite feeling very fortunate to live with them.

The Details

"When I left home , I was a very different person, and by the time I came back, I had essentially become an adult," she says. "Because of that, there have definitely been some clashes between me and my parents. "'It's been an adjustment for all of us'The proportion of people in their 20s and 30s living with their parents has increased sharply over the last three decades, as rising house prices and rents have forced many to move back in to save for their first home.

But while it can be a practical way to save money or deal with the loss of a job or a relationship breakdown, it often comes with frustrations, such as feeling like you've lost your independence or even regressed to childhood. For Natasha and her parents, Rita and Pawan, flashpoints have included shared use of the family car after her own vehicle broke down, disagreements over how chores are divided, and how much time to spend together - with her parents wanting to see more of her. "It has been an adjustment for all of us.

"A lot of these disagreements stem from the fact that we are now four adults living together, all with our own routines, expectations and opinions. "Problems have been avoided by having conversations early on, she says. Her parents set "clear expectations" such as cleaning up after herself and making her own lunch.

What Experts Say

The family has also discussed privacy, with Natasha asking her parents to knock before coming into her room. "I tend to spend more time in my room to relax and unwind than I did before. Initially, my parents did not really understand this, but after talking about it, they have become more understanding.

"Image source, Caroline BenthamImage caption, Caroline Bentham has lived with her mother Mary for nearly seven yearsLoss of privacy is one of the most common issues adult children face when they live with their parents, says Dr Fenia Christodoulidi, head of training and consultancy at counselling service Relate.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.