House Hunting with Children

House hunting is a big decision for anyone but becomes further complex the more family members that are involved, particularly children. Helping your child with a significant life event like moving to a new home can be smooth when you know when and how to involve your kids in the home search. 

After all, Parenting can be stressful. Moving can be Stressful. 

Managing both moving and parenting can be a tricky process, because of the emotions involved, the reasons for the move and the perceived impact on every family member. 

Involving your child or children in the moving process as much as you can is recommended by most educators, psychologists and real estate agents. A child who feels their contribution is considered and valued is an important part of the process. If they feel they are part of the decisions and have awareness about the change coming in their lives, it will help lead them to acceptance and excitement a lot sooner. 

Here are some ways to include their ideas, value their opinions and minimize the confusion and stress in the house buying process. 

Family Meetings for Family Dreaming

Regardless of the ages of your children, allow them the chance to think with you about the realistic criteria you all dream of having in your new home. Even if you have already made this list, allowing your children to state their dreams and hopes is key to them accepting the process. If they say unrealistic criteria, let them know that although a basketball court would be nice, it probably won’t happen but you will make sure there is a place nearby where they can go to play basketball. 

Model the Attitude you hope they will have

If you are stressed or dreading the process, your children know. Even as adults, change can be hard, so how we handle that stress is significant to how our children do. Sometimes moving is for reasons such as divorce or job transfers that may make the whole idea difficult to accept. Your children will handle it all so much better if you can model an attitude of anticipation, hope and excitement for what lies ahead.

Plan for the Boredom

If you need to bring your kids to open houses, meetings or keep them occupied during packing blitzes, it is helpful to be prepared. Keep some special and unique toys or activities available to engage them during times where they may feel bored in the process. It may be worth getting extended family or friends or babysitters scheduled to minimize the disruption while you are looking at homes, scouring neighbourhoods or packing. Remember the key is to keep them on the positive side of moving, not dreading every time the idea of house hunting or moving comes up. 

Find Creative ways to keep them Interested

Let your child express what they like and don’t like in homes by browsing the internet with you or when you visit a home with them. Giving a child a job such as taking photos or notes about the house, making a game or an activity about the houses you visit can help make it fun. Having your child draw or list their dream bedroom, ideal house and a safe community will help them feel their voices are heard and their opinions count. 

Who doesn’t love a Road Trip? 

Rather than calling it house hunting, make your afternoon of reviewing homes a community adventure! Go see the school, parks, ice cream shop and book stores, or whatever will be a part of your child’s life once you move, that surround the area you are looking at. Identify what in that Community will help foster a sense of belonging in your child’s future should you choose to move there. A Community orientation will go a long way to helping your child(ren) accept and become excited about their new life after the move.

Chances are your children are already a huge consideration in your moving plans! Your realtor can be a huge proponent to support your family’s ideas! Allowing children to be a participatory, informed member of the family with a voice that assures them they are heard is an absolutely beautiful aspiration. If you have more questions about how to consider your family’s needs during the house-hunting process, let’s brainstorm!