What it's REALLY like to move back in with your parents: Women admit they feel they've 'failed as adults' - after awkward encounters with partners and rows over food in the fridge

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Once upon a time, most of us had the expectation that we would flee the nest at 18, buy a house and become financially independent.

But new research suggests life has got a lot more complicated. A recent 'modern life' report by Fidelity International revealed a third (34 per cent) of adults aged 18 to 34 are living with their parents - having moved back in, or never left at all. 

One of these is Laura Shipsey, 30, a trainee school teacher from Brighton. She moved back in with her dad and his partner at the age of 25, having been travelling for two years.

Laura then started her own yoga business, moved out, but returned at 28 to try to save for a house. She then changed her mind again and began a PGCE course, costing her £10,000, and remained at home rent-free while she wasn't earning. 

Laura Shipsey, 30, a trainee school teacher from Brighton, moved back in with her dad and his partner at the age of 25

She told FEMAIL: 'I have an incredibly strong relationship with my dad and his partner, so moving back with them felt easy. 

'However, I did have moments where I felt like I was failing as a grown up, as lots of my friends seemed to be buying houses.'

She admitted living at home has thrown up a few awkward moments - especially when it comes to her love life.

'The first time my dad met my partner was pretty awkward - I was in the toilet and Dad walked into my room to find him in my bed,' Laura revealed. 

Laura admitted living at home has thrown up a few awkward moments - especially when it comes to her love life.

'After that things have been fine but obviously it isn't the easiest of situations.'  

Other than that, Laura said things have been pretty harmonious - other than the odd row about her stealing her parent's wine.

'I am very open and honest with my dad and his partner which makes living with them pretty easy,' she said. 

Laura said things have been pretty harmonious - other than the odd row about her stealing her parent's wine

'We have dinner once a week together and we have a Whatsapp group to check in with one another and reminders to collect groceries and water the plants.

'The only problems we have in the house are around the fridge. I often eat their food and drink their wine which they find rather annoying. Luckily that is the only thing that we bicker about.'

While Laura's father is 'pretty cool' about her having friends round, she felt confined to entertaining them in her bedroom. 

Laura said she thinks her dad likes having her around as she keeps them entertained and waters the plants to earn her keep - but admits they are probably looking forward to her moving out 'at some point'.  

She is also looking forward to getting her independence back.

'The advantages of living with them are getting to spend quality time with them, and it's free accommodation,' she said.

'But I don't have my own space and I don't feel very independent. I feel like I am "failing", I'm not achieving. 

'I know it doesn't matter but it is something that plays over in my head often.

'Life is so expensive. The idea of buying a house is almost impossible unless you move back home or get an inheritance.

'I am hoping to move out once I start teaching this September. Hopefully this will be the last time - aged 30!'  

Dawn Robinson, 32, a beauty blogger and office manager from Liverpool, moved back in with her mother to clear £7,000 worth of debt after breaking up with her boyfriend of 10 years.

Dawn, 32, a beauty blogger and office manager from Liverpool, moved back in with her mother after breaking up with her boyfriend of 10 years

'We lived together and I ended things so felt it was right I left,' she explained.

'I was just about to turn 30 and felt like a bit of a failure.'

She admitted she found it tough at first, having not lived with them for 10 years, and they rowed over 'stupid stuff'.

'Mum would make my dinner then text me to see where I was,' she said. 'Also personal space was an issue, like my room.

Dawn pays rent but admitted it's 'hardly anything', as her mother's main concern was for her to clear her debts that she'd built up with her ex

'The house is small so I don't invite friends round, dating is impossible and sometimes I feel 12 again. 

'But it has helped me get out of £7,000 worth of debt and gave me the emotional support I needed when my relationship ended.'

Dawn pays rent but admitted it's 'hardly anything', as her mother's main concern was for her to clear her debts that she'd built up with her ex. 

She revealed her retired mum does a lot for her, and insists on doing her washing, even though she's told her not to. Dawn hopes to move out next year.

Samuel Collins-Charles, 22, moved back in with his mother in Wimbledon, south west London, in June last year after finishing university as he couldn't afford to continue renting by himself in London.

Samuel Collins-Charles, 22, moved back in with his mother in Wimbledon, south west London, in June last year after finishing university

He said it felt 'nostalgic' returning to his family home and he enjoyed spending more time with his mum and reconnecting with old school friends.

Sam said it felt 'nostalgic' returning to his family home and he enjoyed spending more time with his mum and reconnecting with old school friends

'Because so many of my friends are in the same situation, it's more of a normality than an inconvenience,' he told FEMAIL. 

'My mum knows me better than anyone else so it's great having her so close, especially during this period of my life when you need a little extra guidance as a graduate.

'We get on so well and respect each other's space, so there's never really any disputes. She hasn't asked me to move out yet, so I guess it's going well and that she doesn't mind the extra company!'

Samuel, who works as a bartender, said the main advantage of living at his parent's is the money he's saving on rent and living cost, which he estimates is between £400 and £500 a month.

He doesn't pay rent but does do chores around the house - though his mum helps him out when it comes to washing clothes and cooking.

'It's too expensive to live by yourself - rent, bills, council tax, the cost of living and commuting to work, it slowly adds up,' he said.

'A lot of people my age don't want to rent and are living with their parents saving money until they can afford a deposit on house.' 

Lily Whitworth-Biehler, a 24-year-old accounts administrator, is considering moving from her rented flat in Battersea back in with her parents in Spalding, Lincolnshire, due to the skyhigh costs of living in London.

Lily Whitworth-Biehler, a 24-year-old accounts administrator, is considering moving from her rented flat in Battersea back in with her parents in Spalding, Lincolnshire

She explained: 'They live in an area that is in commuting distance which allows me to keep my job and I am lucky enough to have parents that have the space for me and would be willing to let me move back in for minimal board.

'I know that living in London at the start of my career, I will not be able to save enough for a deposit on a house.

'Rent is too high; you can't afford to live on top of it, especially in London. You don't feel like you are ever progressing financially even if you do have a decent wage.'

Lily admitted it would feel like 'a step backwards' and like she was 'failing' at supporting herself 'at an age where I should be able to'. 

Lily admitted it would feel like 'a step backwards' to move in with her parents and like she was 'failing' at supporting herself 'at an age where I should be able to'

'I don't want to be a burden on my parents, but in the current climate it is hard not to be,' she said. 

'I have a great relationship with my parents; they are respectful and treat me like an adult. We get on really well and never fight. 

'This is a reason why I wouldn't want to move back home, because even though we have the best relationship, I think me moving back in could put a strain on this.'

While Lily doesn't think living rent-free with her parents would disrupt her social life, she admitted the location is a 'little isolated' and many of her friends have moved away.

Lily is a keen horserider, and said a big advantage of moving home would be being able to take up lessons again - something she can't currently afford living in London

While Lily doesn't think living rent-free with her parents would disrupt her social life, she admitted the location is a 'little isolated' and many of her friends have moved away. Pictured with the animals kept at her home as part of their family business

Her partner works at a boarding school, so they are already in a long-distance relationship, meaning her new living arrangements would have little impact on her relationship. 

She added: 'The advantage would mainly be financial, and I prefer living in the countryside as my main interest is horse riding, which would be a huge positive for moving home as it is not achievable for me to afford riding lessons in London.

'But the disadvantage is the feeling of losing my independence and feeling like I can't support myself, which I do think would have an impact on my mental health.'