Multigenerational Family Living | i should be mopping the floor
Homepage Projects and Crafts Free Fonts Free Printables and SVG Files Printables Journals and Planners Facebook Covers and Device Wallpapers Spring Projects and Printables


Multigenerational Family Living

Today's Multigenerational Family Living post is brought to you by the Habitat for Humanity Home is the Key campaign. I signed up to be a part of this campaign because I believe so strongly in their purpose, and what they stand for. Ensuring everyone has a safe home is so important, and I couldn’t be more excited to partner with Habitat and O-Cedar to spread the word this spring. 

In December, we became a multigenerational family house. We moved my 83-year-old father in with us, after my mother's passing. Today, I'm sharing how we're adapting to our expanded household and making multigenerational family living work well for us. 

I'm also working with two of my favorite organizations, Habitat for Humanity and O-Cedar, to raise money and awareness for Habitat's Home is the Key campaign. This campaign is addressing the nation's rising housing crisis, as well as raising support to combat the crisis. See how you can help out below.

Multigenerational Family Living
I feel very lucky to live in a home that also accommodates my father as we enjoy him during his senior years. So many folks can't afford proper housing today. Being able to live in a house with all five us doing life together is something we definitely do not take for granted. I'm sharing how we've integrated my dad into our busy home (including a tour of one of his spaces), as well as chatting with you about the Home is the Key campaign below.

Home is the Key


Whether your home houses just you or you're like us and your home is filled with kids, a grandparent, a dog, and two busy parents...home is the key. And for so many, home is not always within easy reach.

Home is the Key
The US housing crisis is a growing concern for so many. One in six families pays at least half (or more) of their income for their housing. This means they can't always afford other essentials for family members like groceries, clothing, and more. Decent, affordable housing is life-changing. If you'd like to support Habitat for Humanity in their efforts to turn around this crisis, please visit the following links to offer your support. This spring, O-Cedar and other Habitat brand partners (listed above and below), are offering you several options to support by purchasing products that give back.

  • From April 1 – May 31, O-Cedar will donate $1 to Habitat for Humanity for every ProMist MAX Microfiber Spray Mop sold by O-Cedar to any U.S. retail channel in the U.S. I have this mop and really do love it. And yes, I do mop.
  • Be sure to stop by Habitat for Humanity HERE to make a donation.
  • Every sale of a Slub Tee Shirt from Chico's through May 31st goes to support Habitat. Additionally, $5 from the sale of each gift card over $25 (up to $100,000).
  • White House Black Market and Soma Intimates are also making wonderful donations here, as well, that you can support. 
  • Shop your local At Home stores and purchase a set of special Home is the Key coasters. Each sale provides a donation of $4.55 to Habitat for Humanity.
The reason I paired this post with this fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity is to show how home really is key to us, especially with my father now living with us. Scroll down to the bottom of this post for more information on Habitat for Humanity and their Home is the Key campaign. You can also enter to win a mop from O-Cedar.


Three Generations Living Together

Multigenerational Family Living

Not just for us, but for my dad, home is the key. He and my mom were married nearly 63 years before her death. He has always been a homebody, but without her there, home was a tough place. So, we moved him in with us. While our house is bustling and busy, it's his home now, too. He doesn't have to be alone (he also lived in a city where there were no other family members nearby).  We originally purchased our home (see that story here) with a scenario like this in mind, but we didn't have a clue how it would have all played out at the time.
Multigenerational Home

Keys to Making a Multigenerational Family Household Work

  • Separated spaces have been a big part of this transition working for us.
    • While we share the kitchen area, dining room, garage, and laundry spaces, we have separate living areas, as well as bedroom and bathroom spaces. I'm sharing my dad's bedroom with you today, with his complete permission. 
    • My dad has one side of the house (mostly) to himself, although my kids especially, like to hang out with him over there, especially in his living area.
  • When bringing in an elderly family member, make sure your home feels like theirs.
    • While our home was already fully furnished and outfitted, we did some downsizing to make this work. You can see what my dad's room used to look like here when it was our guest room.
    • We actually pulled out and sold a lot of our furniture that was in my dad's living and bedroom areas. We brought in his bedroom and living room furniture to make it feel like his space. 
    • We repainted and made everything nice and new for him to move into.
    • His living area is very similar to his previous one at their home. We used all of his furnishings and artwork to achieve that feeling for him. 
  • Splitting household duties is essential. Everyone should help, as they're able.
    • Early on, we didn't want my dad to lift a finger. We wanted him to be able to just enjoy his senior years. Very quickly, he was a bit bored and constantly telling us that he wanted to contribute. We realized our initial idea wasn't ideal, especially since my dad is still quite able-bodied (even at 83).
    • My dad now does a lot of yard work at our home (outside is where he is happiest). He had a shed built in our backyard for all of his lawn equipment, and such. As I'm typing this, he's working to gather rocks around all of the trees in the backyard. 
    • Having his own duties has given him purpose. And our yard has truly looked great since he's started helping with it.
  • Keep family time important. While it would be easy to live separate lives in a house of this size, with my dad having an entire side of it to himself, we make family time everything to us. 
    • We try to eat dinner together most evenings that the kids don't have activities. 
    • We always have a nice Saturday evening meal in our dining room, with proper dinnerware and flatware. We do it family-style and pass serving platters and such. It's become an important night to all of us. Sometimes, we sit and visit for hours after a meal.
    • We also do a Sunday brunch-lunch style meal every week. We attend a different church than my dad, so it's nice to meet up at home afterwards and prepare the meal together. This often flows into a lot of sermon comparing, which can lead to long, interesting conversations.
    • Regarding all of this meal prep, we all pitch in. Dad often sets the table and takes care of the drinks. The kids help with these things, too, as well as clearing the table.

Tiffany Lamp
One thing that was important to my dad was to keep a lot of the things my mom picked out near and dear to him. Above is a Tiffany Lamp that she adored. Dad set it up in his front window. It looks beautiful from the outside every night, all aglow. 

Toile Bedding
This little trunk served as my mom's bedside table for as long as I can remember. He also wanted to continue using the black and white toile bedding she picked out several years ago, too.

We added the blackout drapes in here for him, as well. He has become a later-sleeper. Since his bedroom is in the front of our home, these drapes add lots of privacy for him.

Living with Elderly Parents
We tried to duplicate the way my mom had their home set up. She's had these framed photos of my brothers and me for years (that's me on the left). We hung them the same way they were in their previous home, too, above the bed that they've had since I was a kid.

Foot Bench
My mom always had this suede bench at the foot of their bed, too. She actually toyed with getting rid of it a few years ago. But she changed her mind and told me, "I didn't know where I'd set dad's t-shirts after I folded them for him to put away...so I kept it!" This totally made me laugh. That bench served a mighty purpose. 

Woven Dresser
Their bed and dresser were from the 1970s but are really great pieces. They've had them for as long as I can remember. I've never seen wood woven in the manner that it is on these pieces. Mom's jewelry box is still in its spot that it's always been. I borrowed my champagne bucket with flowers from the dining room to have some fresh pretties in here. Dad usually sets his ball cap right there. 

Handmade Doily
We used some of mom's handmade doilies throughout dad's rooms, too. You can read all about all of the vintage linens we found in my parent's home here. They were all made by my Aunt Margaret. My mom was more drawn to using all of the doilies, while I like the embroidered pieces. 

Family Photos
We have lots of family photos on display in these areas, as well. 

1970s Dresser

Habitat for Humanity Give Away

Mop Giveaway
Again, today's post is to help families attain affordable housing. I've partnered with Habitat for Humanity and O-Cedar for this. Leave a comment below telling me your favorite thing about Habitat for Humanity (visit their site here) and you'll be entered to win this O-Cedar ProMist® MAX Microfiber Spray Mop. I own this eco-friendly mop and it's truly a gem.

  • Started in 2017, Habitat’s Home is the Key campaign aims to demonstrate how a decent, affordable home creates a better life for families and individuals.
  • Habitat for Humanity builds in local communities across all 50 states and 70+ countries around the world.
  • With everyone helping together, Habitat helps another family improve their living conditions somewhere around the world every 17 seconds.
  • Future homeowners put in a significant amount of sweat equity and then they pay an affordable mortgage.
  • Future homeowners also receive financial education and training to help them succeed. 
Your help in the Home is the Key campaign can help others have a safe, secure place to call home.


Living in a Multigenerational Home
How is your Home KEY to YOU?


Multigenerational Living Tips



43 comments:

  1. We are supporters of Habitat for Humanity. We recently donated a dining room table, six chairs and a china cabinet. It was like new. They did the pick up and did a great job. I recommend people donating 'like new' things to Habitat for Humanity and forego the few bucks you can get selling

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes...that is such a great point! It's such a worthy organization to donate to. xoxo

      Delete
  2. you are a good daughter to your dad your mom is smiling

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, thank you so much for that, Jen. It is much appreciated. xoxo

      Delete
  3. I love how the community comes together with the future home owners to build a home.. You have a very nice space for your Dad.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Stacy. Appreciate your kind words about his new space...and I definitely agree with you about the community coming together. xoxo

      Delete
  4. I love the hope and opportunity Habitat for Humanity gives people.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Definitely! I do, too, Lisa! Thank you so much for stopping by today. xoxo

      Delete
  5. The room is beautiful! Love all the special touches you have for your dad. What a great way of making him feel right at home.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Jessica. Appreciate your kind words. It's been so nice having him here with us. Hope you're doing well. Always enjoy your sweet comments. xoxo

      Delete
  6. I love how Habitat for Humanity provides the ability for many families to have a place that they can actually feel is a home & be able to have the space to live together as a family. I also love going into their stores & finding what I call small treasures to use in my home that are affordable. I pick up things that I might have passed on otherwise but purchase because I know every sell helps another family be able to stay together & hopefully develop family values & memories that will make this planet a better place.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, for sure, Frankie. Their stores are such a neat part of the organization. I shop ours, too. Thank you for stopping by today. xoxo

      Delete
  7. Neighbors helping neighbors. To have good neighbors we all need to be good neighbors and what better way then volunteering and donating to Habitat for Humanity. It changes more than just the lives of the recipients, it gives reason for the volunteers to get up each morning and outside of themselves.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Absolutely. It gives everyone such a wonderful purpose. Thank you so much for stopping by today, Cookie! xoxo

      Delete
  8. It is a win win for everyone involved.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I really love that during a build Habitat for Humanity allows the entire community to come together regardless of your skill level. I am not what you would call "handy"; however, they can find a job for me so that I can contribute to the process of building a new home and a new life for some deserving family!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For sure, Jody! It takes many hands...of all skill levels! Thanks so much for stopping by today. xoxo

      Delete
  10. God has blessed me with a home and I feel it's our responsibility to help those less fortunate.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I definitely agree with you, Shirley! Thank you for stopping by today. xoxo

      Delete
  11. I am very much a homebody. Since building our home, my mother lived with us for a while,2 of my sisters with their families, the children of one of those sisters while she dealt with a health crisis, and now we're raising our granddaughter here. Coincidentally she moved back in one year ago today.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Caring for others (especially in your own home) is such an important and, yet, so heartwarming of a task.

      Delete
  12. I liked to have never stopped itching after we helped hang insulation all day for HFH, but it was worth every second. I felt so good about myself and it was heartwarming to see everyone come together.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a heartwarming feeling for sure...and I'm glad the itching was worth it! Thank you for stopping by today. xoxo

      Delete
  13. I love shopping at the Habitat for Humanity store. You can usually find great things. Habitat for Humanity does such great things for the community.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, Jo! And I love our Habitat store, too. It's a great one. Thank you for stopping by today!

      Delete
  14. Habitat for Humanity has given a lot of families new/refurbished homes in my town. It's always amazing to see the amount of helpers they have working and the end results, but the best part is when they hand the keys over to the family--their faces show the joy of finally having an affordable, beautiful space to call home.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! You're so right...that absolutely is the best part of the entire thing. Thanks so much for stopping by today! xoxo

      Delete
  15. I like the way they use and repurpose materials to create a new home for someone in need. I also like that they reach out to the community for help in building. People help, people learn and we all are benefitted.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We certainly are, Debbie! Such a wonderful organization. Appreciate you stopping by today. xoxo

      Delete
  16. I love how Habitat for Humanity makes its volunteers feel the impact of that volunteering on their community. It's an awesome feeling knowing that you've helped empower a family by giving a little of your time to help build them a home. That feeling is addictive...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It certainly is! I totally agree. Thank you so much for stopping by today. xoxo

      Delete
  17. I love so much about Habitat for Humanity. I think it is outstanding the way it offers volunteers the chance to give of themselves, not just their pocketbooks, and the way new families move into homes that will really feel like homes they can be proud of and will be part of a neighborhood.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Absolutely, Beth! I completely agree. Thank you so much for stopping by today! xoxo

      Delete
  18. Kristi, I've been a fan of Habitat for Humanity for years. I think they work they do is wonderful and so needed. To give a family a chance to own their own home and to have the opportunity to work on the home with the volunteers is a way to foster a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem in that family. And lots of times the family who has helped build their own home volunteers to help build a home for another family. A great pay-it-forward result of their good fortune.

    I also absolutely love to shop at the Habitat Restore near me. I've found so many items that I can use for very reasonable cost.
    So I'm on board with your effort on behalf of this wonderful organization %100!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Naomi! It's such a wonderful organization. And yes, I love our Habitat Restore, as well...such a gem! Appreciate you stopping by today. xoxo

      Delete
  19. I love that so many people are able to come together to help in building houses for HFH. Everyone can do the thing they are good at to bring it all together. And I love how you put together your Dad's space in your home. It's beautiful.


    ReplyDelete
  20. A Habitat House was built not far from me. It is close to a store and park, and it made me happy to know that a family can benefit from all of that. I wish that there were more organizations like HFH where people come together to work for a common good.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I just love how people are helping others less fortunate than them.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh my gosh, I love this post. I really love how you incorporated all your dad's (and mom's!) meaningful things into his new space. And that he WANTED to help out in the yard. What a win win for all involved. :)

    As for Habitat for Humanity, I love everything about their cause. I love how they bring people together for a common good to help each other. We've helped build a house for them before and the experience was amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a wonderful way to spend more time with your Dad, make more memories together, and give your children the amazing gift of really getting to know and love on their Grandpa! Nothing is more important than family in my book!! Habitat for Humanity also gives families the ability to live together safely and securely all while fostering pride in home ownership.

    ReplyDelete
  24. We are moving my 84 year old mother in with my husband and I. We bought a different house when she said she was ready to move to the town we live in. She will have the master suite and family room on the main level. Hubby and I will have a bedroom and bath in a different area on the main level. The basement has plenty of room for my craft room, hubby's office, and 2 guest rooms. I'm excited to welcome her. Thanks for sharing your story. It makes it easier knowing it can work and work well.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thanks for sharing this inspiring post. We are in the process of moving my mom in our home. We do have limited space. She would like a separate living area connected to where she sleeps. I wan to accommodate her as much as possible. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

    ReplyDelete