Crowded-nest Couples

Nearly one in three unmarried adults lives with a parent nowadays. But when returning offspring turn the empty nest into a crowded one, middle-aged couples don't seem to mind.

In fact, crowded-nest couples actually enjoy high marital and life satisfaction, reports Margaret O'Kane Brunhofer, Ph.D., of Wayne State University. Surveying 30 such couples, she found that most adapted fine to their recently extended family. Lack of privacy was rarely a problem. And couples who were less happy about their new living arrangements were likely having marital problems even before their child returned to the fold.

So if you're looking for a cliche to describe crowded-nest families, forget "three's a crowd." Try "the more the merrier."