Modern families: Millennials and parents make it work

Many households today are quite different from a generation ago.

More people are living alone. Multi-generational households are on the rise. And if you have children, chances are they're staying at home longer.

For many families, that's just fine.

Teamwork

"We're both a team in how we function with this household," Sofia Mirza said.

The Winnipeg mother lives with her 20-year-old son Rahim. CBC spoke with them as part of the series Modern Families, which will be featured on our website through the month of September.

"I'm really glad that he's here," she said. "I know that one of the motivating factors is to take care of mom, so I appreciate that."

"Having a team environment, by living under the same roof, I love it," Rahim said. "I wouldn't change a thing,"

But things will change when Rahim, a realtor, moves out in a few years.

He has a detailed plan for being on his own, that doesn't include renting. "I plan on purchasing a few rental properties before I move to my own home, so by the time I live by myself I have enough net profit coming from different rental properties to fund my own personal home," he said.

Tradition

Carmen Balkaran and her husband, who emigrated to Canada from Guyana nearly 30 years ago, share their home with their two children. Meera, 26, is a teacher. Yanil, 28, is going to college.

"I just like having my kids with me until they're married, " Carmen Balkaran said.

"It's a cultural thing," she said. "Once marriage comes around then that's a different thing. Traditionally they go on their own."

"You help out your parents," Yanil said. "I think we get along pretty well," he said. "It's a cultural thing as well."

But when the time comes to move out, the Balkaran children will also be thinking about the needs of their parents. "I think definitely being in close proximity to my parents, not necessarily for my own comfort, but more knowing that if they need something I can quickly go there and I'm not too far away," Meera said.

Yanil agrees. "Family has always been a high value for us."

For many modern families, traditions remain important.

"Family means love and care and helping," Carmen added. "Family means a team. Family means a good feeling, someone there for you when you need them."