This is a continuation of our series, ‘Moving With Kids: How To Survive Showing Your House’. If you haven’t done so already, you may want to read Part 1 first.
Take the Kids to See Other Houses
Yes, this can be painful for sure, but it’s important that the kids see the process in action. Taking them to houses that have already been prepared (and yes, some staged) for showing will help the kids look at your home through different eyes. Figure out if YOUR kids will do better with private showings where just you and your realtor are present or if taking them to open houses is the best choice.
As a parent, you have no doubt seen just how much a child can take in while participating in a particular activity. Call their attention to how great things look in the house with all the things put away and everything is clean. Notice the clear counters, tidy bookshelves and how everything looks in its place and the kids will too.
There is extra impact when they see other kids’ rooms that are spit spot. When they come home from play dates, mine frequently tell me what a mess the other kids’ rooms are and they don’t seem to like it. If you can get them to really see the rooms of your house the way outsiders will, you should be able to take advantage of that natural aversion they feel when they see a friend’s messy room.
This important step of looking at houses together will help your kids understand the goal of the big job you have ahead of yourselves. Having that visual idea in mind will make it much easier to achieve. They may even take ownership of their own room once they realize that strangers will be coming in and looking around. My eldest took great pride in how her room looked for every open house. It also gave her a sense of control over part of this unnerving process where very little is in your control. She was very impressed with herself and knew that she was really helping with this big project.
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Read the whole series:
Moving With Kids: How To Survive Showing Your House (Part 1)
Moving With Kids: How To Survive Showing Your House (Part 2)
Moving With Kids: How To Survive Showing Your House (Part 3)
Moving With Kids: How To Survive Showing Your House (Part 4)
Moving With Kids: How To Survive Showing Your House (Part 5)
Moving With Kids: How To Survive Showing Your House (Part 6)
Moving With Kids: How To Survive Showing Your House (Part 7)
Moving With Kids: How To Survive Showing Your House (Part 8)
