The biggest benefit of multigenerational living for many people is the strengthened relationships between grandparents and grandchildren. For families who lived separately prior to the pandemic, moving in together to the weather the crisis and support each other brought sometimes surprising benefits. Having multiple adults in the household provides financial and emotional advantages, particularly when the routines of offices, schools and normal activities were abruptly changed.

While Roger admits to a few logistical challenges when they adapted to living in close proximity to their family, he believes he would be getting bored in retirement if he and his wife stayed in their Kansas home instead of relocating to Virginia.

“I’m an ex-industrial arts teacher and we have a complete wood shop in our basement,” says Roger. “Diane retired from a 30-year career in elementary education to have a second career in elementary school discipline. She’s been a full-time nanny for the boys for the past six years and I’ve taken over the maintenance of the main house. Our skillsets match very closely to what’s needed.”

The Feeley’s house was designed and built by Michael Winn, founder of Winn Design + Build in Falls Church, on the site of their daughter and son-in-law’s home, a 160-year-old mansion.

Diane Feeley says she didn’t know her grandparents at all, so this living arrangement not only makes her happy, but it also gives her grandsons an experience she lacked.

While the Feeleys began living in their multigenerational household before the pandemic began, other families made that choice under unexpected circumstances. Adapting to life with multiple generations under one roof has its challenges, with 23% of people in the Pew survey reporting that it’s stressful all or most of the time. Each family member may need to compromise a little on their privacy or adjust their habits to accommodate each other. Yet 57% in the survey said it’s been a positive experience for them.

Deeper family relationships, particularly between grandparents and their grandchildren, are a prime advantage of a multigenerational household. Treasured traditions such as snuggling under the covers with a favorite book, cooking together, having an impromptu dance party or sharing stories of the past will make memories for grandchildren that are hard to replicate otherwise… memories that are guaranteed to last a lifetime.