Why You Should Consider Downsizing Your Home with Kids

Whether it’s for financial reasons or a need to simplify life, downsizing to a smaller home can be a scary thought, particularly if you have children. “Where will we put all our stuff?” “Where will the children sleep and play?” “How will we all fit in a smaller house?” “What about my privacy?” These are just some of the questions that pop into people’s minds as soon as they think about downsizing. However, it’s not necessarily all doom and gloom. Here are some benefits to downsizing your home with a family in tow.

Advantages of Downsizing Your Home with Your Family

1. Closer Family Bonds

Less space forces you to interact with each other more. That privacy you were worried about? Well, less of it could be a good thing. Your children may have to share a bedroom, and you’ll probably have one combined family living space, meaning you’ll be in close proximity to each other all the time. Although it is probably not scientifically proven, living closer to the people in our lives can be better than keeping your distance. A smaller living space forces you to find a way to communicate and deal with each other better.

2. Money Saved

According to a census, the average single-family home size in the USA has increased from an average of 1,660 square feet to an average of 2,392 square feet. This jump in square footage means more money is spent maintaining a home. Smaller houses are generally cheaper to buy or rent and cheaper to maintain. You can also spend less on bills like electricity and water. If you’re moving from a house with a yard to an apartment, there’ll be no more lawn to mow. Fewer rooms mean you won’t have to pay anyone to come and clean. This reduction in expenses is even more noticeable with bigger families. The money saved can be used for future college expenses for your children; paying off the mortgage faster, or even more family trips and more quality time spent together.

“Stuff” Is Not Important

One important lesson both you and your children learn is that stuff is not important. Many people who downsize come to learn that they do just fine with less toys, less furniture and fewer belongings in general. Sure, children tend to carry a lot of stuff with them, but they don’t need as much stuff as you may think.

The more things you own, the more you worry about keeping track of them and protecting them from break-ins or breakage, so you spend more time working to try and pay for that insurance bill. Downsizing your home will allow you to spend time and money on the things that really matter – your family. At the same time, your children can learn not to place so much value on possessions. As Socrates once said, “The secret to happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.”