I have no bios. I say 18 but since DH's kids will still be in high school after their 18th b-day I will just have to accept that it won't be immediate. You better believe that the summer after graduation is the time to launch. If they miss that window with us, they have a mom, she can deal with it.

I think how my parents handled me was ideal. They told me repeatedly as a teenager that once I turned 18 and graduated high school, I would have to pay rent. I didn't argue, and didn't think much of it. They had put the thought clearly in my head that I would be an adult at 18. I went off to college, and lived in the dorm the first semester, and then moved into a house off campus that my parents' owned. I paid half my tuition myself, and I rented out rooms in the house to cover the mortgage and lived rent free. I also worked 3 jobs. I never moved back into my parents' home at my choice. The option was always there, but I was happy with being independent. I was lucky my parents' had that house, but if they didn't, I would have rented a room off campus without much of an issue. I moved into a one bedroom apartment right after I graduated college.

So I think kids can stay as long as they are in school full time, but need to contribute to the household. Once school is done, then they have to pay rent.

Must have a job or full time college. If not, out after HS. If not college, pay rent.

I think it depends on the child. I feel like I was a bit spoiled after reading the above posts. I went to a University in hometown and lived with my mom until I was 22. I had a full time job and kept a scholarship that paid for tuition and my parents paid for my books. The rule for us was that if we were in college getting good grades we could live at home still. I was required to pay my own bills (car, insurance, etc.) But no rent or anything for moms house. Obviously I did help out around the house and my mom pretty much let me do what I wanted. She knew I wasn't going to act like an A-hole. By the time I graduated I had saved enough money for a down payment on a small house! I will always be grateful for my patents generosity.

My DHs parents told him he had to move out at 18. He went to college away and lived in dorms. But he also worked hard and had a scholarship that paid for all his tuition, books and room&board.

I think you really just have to know your kids and what they are capable of. I know my mom would have made me move out if I lost my scholarship or f**ked up in any way.