How children leave the home varies across generations, cultures and even individual families. For some, turning 18 marks a race toward independence, while others linger in the nest until they're pushed out with a “good luck” and a swift kick in the rump. In today’s world of skyrocketing housing costs, however, many families are rethinking these norms, choosing support over separation.
One TikTok mom, @lxxndaa_, is breaking the mold by giving her daughters a head start—rent-free. In a viral video, she shared how she transformed her basement into a fully equipped apartment for her daughters. This move has earned her widespread admiration and over 16.6 million views.
In the video, a note reads: "See how I turned my basement into a little apartment for my daughters." The footage takes viewers through the process of converting an empty basement into a cozy, self-contained living space with a kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms.
A mom’s gift of stability and support
The creator explained in the comments that one of her daughters is in college while the other is still in high school. “They’re still babies. Charging rent never crossed my mind,” she wrote.
"They will pay rent one day, but it won’t be with me."
— @lxxndaa_
She added: “I won’t charge them, but my daughter works and I help manage her Roth IRA. She’s in nursing school, so I would feel horrible to stress her with rent.”
This thoughtful gesture has resonated with many who praised her parenting style in the comments:
"You’re such an amazing mom! They are very lucky to have you ❤️"
— @MisstakenLee
Another user, @amisg015, shared a similar story: “My parents did this for me. It helped me get through college, pay off student loans, and save for my own place. I’ll never be able to repay them for everything they’ve done.”
The rise of multigenerational living
This story comes as housing costs in the U.S. have reached unprecedented levels. A Joint Center for Housing Studies report of Harvard University reveals that elevated home prices and interest rates have priced millions out of homeownership. The surge in rental costs has also left nearly half of U.S. renters spending over 30% of their income on housing.
The economic landscape is encouraging many families to adopt multigenerational living arrangements. According to the Pew Research Center, the number of U.S. adults living in multigenerational households has grown significantly, with financial pressures cited as the top reason. For parents like @lxxndaa_, this approach alleviates economic strain and strengthens family bonds.
The conversation continues
Commenters applauded the mother’s efforts, with some offering additional ideas. One commenter suggested charging rent and saving it for future use: “We charged rent but put it in an account that we gave to her when she went to buy a house. It was the best surprise ever!”
@lxxndaa_ Rent free, to help give them a head start that we never got. Separate entrance, cute kitchen, two bedrooms and a spacious bathroom. #parenting #goals #basement #apartment ♬ luther - Kendrick Lamar & SZA
Others reflected on how multigenerational living might build wealth. @BillionaireKieva remarked, “This is how you build generational wealth.” Another user, @Mónica Pajarin, pointed out, “Good parenting and guidance build character, not struggle.”
"The right kind of parent. I’ve always thought it’s so weird that parents want their kids to struggle."
— @Mónica Pajarin
Final thoughts
Stories like this showcase the power of creative solutions and strong family ties as families face rising housing costs and economic uncertainty. Transforming a basement into a rent-free living space isn’t just a practical move—it’s an investment in a family’s future and well-being. With multigenerational living on the rise, many parents are following suit, proving that support and stability go a long way in helping the next generation thrive.
Representative Image: The work-from-home tools get the job done, even if you still can't find the mute button. 
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Couple has annoying conversation
The one phrase people most want to ban forever—and 20 more that drive us all nuts
If you’ve ever cringed at hearing “It is what it is” or rolled your eyes at someone saying “No offense…” before delivering something totally offensive, you’re definitely not alone. Some expressions are so irritating, so overused, or so grammatically cursed that hearing them once more might just push us over the edge.
We asked our Facebook audience, “ If you could ban one annoying phrase from existence forever, what would it be?” and holy moly, did the floodgates open. Typically, a given question might rack up around 5,000 comments—but this one? Over 14,000. People shared responses that were funny, petty, brutally honest, and occasionally downright poignant. From phrases that try (and fail) to sound wise, to those so overused they've lost all meaning entirely—here are the top contenders folks are completely done with.
The one phrase nearly everyone wants to vanish
By far the most repeated offender was:
Over and over, users cited this as the ultimate non-response. It’s dismissive, it ends conversations, and it offers exactly zero comfort or help.
Another big category? Expressions meant to comfort that end up being painful or insulting. These include:
Many commenters explained that these phrases, while often well-intentioned, feel dismissive in times of grief or hardship.
Grammar gripes and word crimes
Grammar lovers had a lot of feelings. Some of the most-cited “please stop saying this” phrases included:
And let’s not forget the collective rage over “pacifically” when people mean “specifically.”
Words that reveal more than they intend
Several users took issue with phrases that feel passive-aggressive or intellectually lazy, such as:
As user Jacqueline C. put it, “'To be honest...' What does that mean? That you're not honest any other time?”
Phrases tied to racism, sexism, or toxic positivity
A significant number of respondents took aim at harmful or politically charged phrases. Among them:
These comments weren’t just about annoyance—they were about the emotional weight and social impact of language.
James G. didn’t mince words when he wrote: “‘Go back to your country, then’ 🤬. The epitome of racist. I love my country, plus my ancestors did not ASK to be brought here the way they were.”
Corporate speak and empty buzzwords
You knew these were coming.
These phrases sparked a different kind of rage—one reserved for staff meetings and marketing emails.
Iris H. summed it up: “Most corporate speak. Downsizing. Low hanging fruit. Pivot. etc…..” Just say what you mean, please.
Why this resonated so deeply
There’s something unifying about shared irritation. These phrases might seem harmless or routine, but for many people, they’re like verbal paper cuts—tiny annoyances that, over time, sting a lot more than they should.
Whether it’s poor grammar, dismissive condolences, or flat-out hate speech in disguise, we’re collectively craving language that’s thoughtful, clear, and kind.
So the next time you find yourself reaching for one of these expressions, take a beat. Maybe there’s a better way to say what you mean. Or maybe… just don’t say anything at all.
And if you’ve got your own phrase that should be banished from existence? Don’t worry—there’s still time to add to the list.
Got another phrase that needs to go? Drop it in the comments on our original Facebook post.
Bonus: The top five most hated phrases from our poll
Let’s make 2025 the year we finally stop saying all of them.