Conversation Questions for Parents & Adult Children Living at Home

Living together as adults can be a meaningful and transformative experience—for both parent and child. These questions are designed to help everyone understand one another’s expectations, needs, and hopes while also strengthening connection and reducing stress.

Use them as conversation starters, weekly check-ins, or as a way to reset and recalibrate your shared home life.

25 Questions to Ask Each Other

1. What does “home” mean to you right now?

2. What is something you appreciate about living together at this stage of life?

3. What is something that has been challenging about our current arrangement?

4. What kind of personal space or alone time do you feel you need?

5. What household responsibilities feel fair to you—and which feel unclear?

6. How can we each communicate frustrations without causing defensiveness?

7. What’s one small habit we could each change to make life smoother at home?

8. What’s something you wish the other understood about your daily routine?

9. How do you like to be approached when you’re stressed or overwhelmed?

10. How should we handle shared spaces—cleanliness, noise, boundaries?

11. What does financial contribution mean to you—fairness, independence, teamwork?

12. How can we support each other’s goals while living under the same roof?

13. What are your expectations around privacy (social life, visitors, schedules)?

14. What makes you feel respected as an adult?

15. What makes you feel appreciated in our home?

16. What is something you miss about how our relationship used to be?

17. What is something you enjoy about how our relationship has grown?

18. What are your goals for the next year, and how can I support them?

19. What’s one thing you wish we did together more often?

20. Are there topics we avoid that we should talk about?

21. What’s your preferred way to handle conflict—quick discussions, space, planning a time?

22. What routines help you feel grounded and balanced at home?

23. What are some signs that you need help—and how would you like me to respond?

24. What does independence mean for you right now?

25. What would a successful “living together phase” look like for each of us?

Sharing a home as adults takes intention, communication, and flexibility. These questions aren’t meant to solve everything at once, but they can open the door to understanding each other’s perspectives and building a healthier, more respectful environment. Use them as a guide, revisit them as life changes, and allow the conversation to evolve naturally.