Mom's basement makeover gives her daughters a rent-free start in life

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!”

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.