What It’s Like to Live In a Tiny House With Kids
Living in a tiny house is extra challenging with kids – but it can also be a lot of fun!
It’s no surprise that living in a tiny home has its challenges – but if you have kids, those challenges are multiplied! With the rise of the “tiny house” movement, more and more families are learning how to manage life in a tiny home – and some families continue to embrace the lifestyle even when children come along.
In the interview below, one family shares what it’s like to live in a tiny house with two kids in New Zealand:
It seems sometimes like a bedroom for each child is fast becoming the norm. What made you decide to move your family into a tiny house instead?
We have never believed that having separate bedrooms is a necessity. My girls still have their own space, but it’s a family space where we keep their belongings, as well as our own. We as a family have to work together to share the space. They still get the same experiences but they do it more communally.
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Talk to me about layout – where do you put everyone?
The whole house is 15sqm, with two upstairs lofts – one fits a super king mattress and the other is a single for Nic’s older daughter, who spends the occasional night with us. The younger girls have two bunks in the wall opposite the kitchen area which each fit a cot mattress. Often I can hold a tiny hand and hush while doing dishes! The bathroom is the only part that can be closed off and is 2.2m by 1m. We have a shower over a shub and a composting toilet, a small sink and washing machine all packed in there. The kitchen, dining and living are all one room with storage under the couch and a TV on the wall. We’ve recently built a deck with cover that comes off the front that provides some more storage and space.
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What aspects of parenting do you find you’ve had to amend due to the smaller space?
It would be fair to say that we have a rather alternative focus when it comes to parenting, and a lot of those communal, attachment style methods were easily transferred to a smaller space. Probably one of the more obvious changes has been since we’ve had Violet. She requires quiet to go to sleep so being in the small space we have to be aware of what works for her. We tend to spend a lot of time outside, which is something that is important us anyway, but having the tiny house has increased the need for this.
And lastly, what is the best and what is the most challenging aspect of parenting in a tiny house?
The best is the relationship I have with my girls because I’m always right there. I’ve got way more time to spend with them, I’ve got freedom to do what I want to do but they’re right there. Another bonus: I hate chores. I’m not a fan at all. I have much less cleaning to do because I live in a tiny house. I can vacuum my whole house in three minutes!
The worst is that we’re always together. Ha! I don’t necessarily think this is a tiny house thing but it’s certainly magnified in a tiny space…
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Read the full interview here…
Image Source: http://thespinoff.co.nz
