When you go to a house showing, on top of making sure the house is well-constructed and secure with working heat and water, you’re also checking to see if the home is a good fit to suit your needs, and more importantly, the needs of your family. If you have children, they are probably at the forefront of your mind as you are going through this process.
Some would say that it’s a bad idea to bring your kids to an open house, while others will tell you that as they are a part of the family, they’re input is also important. For this, there ia no right and wrong answers. Some kids handle new situations really well, and others can get too excited. The situation is different for everyone and every child. Here are a list of pros and cons to help you decide whether it’s a good idea to bring your child with you to a house showing.
The pros
Feeling responsible
Some kids handle responsibility very well. They thrive on being given tasks and proving themselves in front of adults. Knowing that they’re input is important in the decision making process for something as big as a house can help them feel more confident as individuals. Not all children get such an opportunity to truly prove themselves to their parents.
Feeling important
When kids are asked to be a part of a big decision, they can feel like an important member of the family. It makes them feel valued and heard. This can be a valuable experience for them. They can also learn the importance of decisions and learn how decisions can impact their life.
Life lessons
Not only will children learn about decisions, they can also get an insight into the home buying process which could possibly prepare them for the future. At a young age, they may not take away too much from the experience, but they’ll still get a taste of what it’s like to purchase a house.
The cons
Too much excitement and stimulation
No matter how well-behaved a child is, sometimes they get a little too excited and will act out a bit. Children can sometimes be unpredictable and might suddenly get too excited on a new home and run around.
Distraction from the process
A noisy child can take away from your home viewing experience. It could be that you miss things that might affect your decision making, such as a beautiful parlor that you’d love, or mould in the kitchen corners. There’s so much to see when going house hunting and you don’t want to miss anything important that would have a factor in how you make your decision.
Feeling too much pressure
Some kids aren’t ready for the kind of responsibility that will impact their lives. The pressure could affect them. Almost all parents have a general sense of how their child is feeling. If you think seeing a nee home with your child will be too big for them to process but still want them involved, then consider other irons, such as showing them pictures of different homes instead of bringing them along.
The ultimate decision maker
No matter what you decide, it’s important to remember that by the end of the day, you are the ultimate decision maker. Whether you decide to bring your children or not, to buy a house or not, the decision is yours. You know your child best and it’s important to trust your instincts.