WHAT always puzzled me about The Waltons was why they all went to bed at the same time.

All that "Goodnight grandpa," "Goodnight Jim Bob," "Goodnight Mary Ellen," "Goodnight ma," "Goodnight pa". I know they didn't have television, but surely the adults wanted a bit of quality time to themselves after the children had gone to bed.

I mean what sort of a bloke was John Boy to happily turn in at the same time as his sisters and brothers, some who couldn't have been more than six or seven. It's not normal, surely.

Most men his age would be down the local bar sinking a few pints and eyeing up the saloon girls. And as for his parents and grandparents, it comes as such a relief when children go to bed, it is time to relax and be yourself, not to go upstairs to join them in the land of nod.

This great unsolved mystery resurfaced in my mind as the findings of a study revealed that Walton-like households with three generations living under one roof are becoming increasingly common.

The cost of living has seen an increasing number of households with these living arrangements. Young adults who are unable to afford to buy their own home are staying with mum and dad, and more and more people aged over 65 are going to live with their children as rising costs of health, heating and council tax make it harder for them to keep their homes.

Researchers found that more than 800,000 homes across the country are '3G' - that is, they have three generations living under one roof.

Lately, with car repairs costing more than my monthly salary, house and motor insurance renewals falling at the same time, plus various bills from utilities (I'm convinced they all meet up and say "Let's wipe that smile off her face this week," before agreeing to mail the bills out together) plopping on the doormat on the same day, I felt we were staring destitution in the face.

A move home would be quite nice, I thought. But on the other hand, maybe not.

There are pros:

Saving vast amounts of money on your mortgage or rent.

Not having to worry about bills (although I would contribute).

The wonderful, extremely healthy meals - my mum is a great cook.

Seeing more of each other. When I invite my parents over (50 minutes drive) they sometimes react as if I've asked them to fly to the Falklands.

And there are cons:

However old you are, parents have a habit of making you feel like a child.

Never being able to sleep in because you feel you have to leap out of bed and pull your weight.

Sharing one bathroom.

Having to endure lectures from my dad (not renowned for his listening skills in a debate or argument) and the battles with my mum over kitchen duties (she never lets anyone help).

The overwhelming feeling that I was putting my parents out and should be making my own way in the world.

I like to think that, if the situation arose, my parents would house me and my family. I would certainly put them up. But as for long-term Walton-style living, I don't think so. It would take half and hour to say all those goodnights.

Updated: 11:14 Tuesday, November 22, 2005