Whether you are planning to start a family or you are already a family person who has decided to downsize and live in a tiny house with your kids, you will often hear people saying that it is the most impractical idea!
But how true is this? Recently, there has been an increasing number of parents that have greatly differed with this idea. They argue that, living in small space brings lifelong benefits that a family cannot get when living large
But how is that so? Here are some of the facts about living in a tiny house with kids.
Does raising kids in a tiny house cost more than raising them in a normal house?
In the U.S, the largest expense that families foot is housing cost. It accounts for about 30% of the total annual expenses of a family. Some other expenses incluing electrical and water bills, heating, etc. are also closely tied to the size of the house.
By downsizing, one finds out pretty fast that these expenses are significantly reduced. The savings that come with downsizing can also translate to quality family time, since parents do not need to work long hours or second jobs.
Saving Space in Your Tiny House
To be clear, families living in tiny houses do face space problems. But how have they dealt with this challenge? Many families have found that by discarding unnecessary items, they can do a great deal with the space left. Excess electronics like huge radio systems, excess clothing and suitcases, excess baby gear or children’s toys etc. contribute a lot to filling a house. Getting rid of them and other things you rarely use can help a lot.
You can read our guide on how to orgarnize your tiny house.
Does living in a tiny house reduce the environmental impact of a family?
For larger homes, there is great environmental impact associated. Downsizing significantly reduces a family’s impact on the environment and offers kids an opportunity to be raised in a fairly clean and well-taken care of environment.
Smaller homes require less material inputs and resources. Whether we are talking of cleaning products or energy usage. You can be proud that whenever you go tiny, you are also saving the planet.
What are the benefits of living in a tiny house with kids?
There are a lot of good things associated with downsizing your household. Two of them are:
– Increased family interaction – unlike larger houses with several rooms in which family members may fail to meet often, tiny homes enable strong connection among the family members.
– The kids can actively engage with the natural world – since tiny homes are small, the kids are often let to play outside thereby interacting with nature, unlike modern tendencies of staying indoors to play video games.
What are the challenges of living in a tiny house with kids?
While tiny homes may bring a number of advantages, there are a number of challenges faced by parents in the process of raising their kids. They include;
- Space problem – this is the most common challenge faced in tiny homes. Personal space, space for projects, or homeschooling are often not enough in these homes.
- Parents cannot have their private time together without getting disturbed by kids, or disturbing them.
- Energy constraints. If the tiny house is off-grid, solar power may not be adequate for the entire family’s usage, and external sources like a generator may be necessary.
- Waste disposal. With more members of a family living in a small space, waste may become a big challenge.
Just as any other form of living, tiny living has its advantages and disadvantages. Eventually, it is upto an individual and their family to decide what is best for them.
Also Read: What You Need To Know About Living in a Tiny Apartment
