When President Barack Obama decided to take his mother-in-law with him and his family to the White House, men around the United States gasped.

But while living with your mother-in-law might seem unthinkable to some, for others it is a part of every day life.

As the economy continues to struggle, many families are moving in with relatives to ease the financial burden.

According to a recent survey by AARP Bulletin, 11 percent of those surveyed between the ages of 35 and 44 reported living with their parents or in-laws. Eleven percent of those over the age of 50 said they were living with their grandchildren or parents, and 19 percent said they were living with their children.

"The recession is having an impact on people of all ages, and the effects are starting to be felt at home," said Jim Toedtman, vice president and editor of AARP Bulletin. "We see more people living under the same roof as their parents and their adult children. As Americans face tougher economic conditions, we'll likely see more of this."

Dwindling retirement funds are particularly affecting older Americans.

"Since Social Security, Medicare and pension funds are crumbling, the way most Americans will retire during the next 30 years is living with their kids," said Sharon Neiderhaus, co-author of "Together Again: A Creative Guide To Success Multigenerational Living."

Recommended Living Arrangements

Despite the financial benefits, living in a multigenerational household can potentially strain family relationships.

According to Neiderhaus, there are ways to avoid the discomfort.

For starters, make sure you and your relatives are compatible.

"In one family I interviewed, the daughter-in-law said she and her in-laws are very compatible," said Neiderhaus, who interviewed more than 100 people around the country while researching her book. "They have the same values, priorities in life and really open communication. Also, she said they think alike when it comes to child-rearing and them taking care of the grandkids."

Once you figure out if your personalities can handle living together, the next step is to figure out the logistics -- where is everyone going to live?

According to the AARP Bulletin, multigenerational living can take on different forms. All of the family members can live under one roof, the home may have separate living quarters that even feature different kitchens, and separate buildings can be located on a single piece of property.

Niederhaus suggests that the more private the living quarters, the better.

"I found that the best arrangement features separate living quarters, like a cottage in the backyard or an apartment attached to a home. Since these units have a separate entrance and kitchen, they allow for proximity with privacy, two keys to successful multigenerational living," Neiderhaus said.

In the families that Neiderhaus interviewed, one woman said she built her mom an apartment that was attached to her home.

Another woman said she converted her garage into an apartment -- which she initially used as a rental space -- that her daughter and son-in-law later moved into while they were in graduate school. After her daughter's family expanded, they switched spots, with the woman moving into the garage apartment and her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren moving into the main house. The move allowed the woman to watch after her grandchildren when needed, and then when she later needed hip surgery she was able to have her daughter take care of her.

Tips For Creating A Happy Living Environment

To create a happy living environment in your multigenerational home, the AARP offers several suggestions.

One is to make sure your home is suitable for all of the residents. This includes making sure there is enough space to house everyone in the family, as well as making sure it is safe for an older person who might have problems walking up the stairs, for example.

The AARP also suggests having an open discussion to decide how the space in the house should be used. According to the organization, this can be especially important if there are grandchildren and grandparents living together, as each might need their own space. This will also help the young and elderly residents retain activities they did before moving in together, such as hobbies or having friends over.

While children and their grandparents may need their own space, the AARP says it is also important to make sure they interact with each other. By living together, the grandchildren and grandparents have an opportunity to bond and create special. The AARP also suggests using the close living quarters as an opportunity to look through old family photos and discuss your family history.

And perhaps most importantly, the AARP recommends communicating with all members of your family on a regular basis. By continuously discussing household matters, families will be to address issues before they become problems, and will allow each family member to share their fears and excitement about living in a multigenerational home.