Raising a Kid in a Tiny House: Yeah or Nah?

February 5, 2020 | Comments 0 Comment

Have you been thinking about raising a kid in a tiny house? This decision is way major than you think.

Why? Well, you have to think about your finances, your furniture, and even the ethics behind the act itself… Is it even humane to raise a little kid in a tiny house? For a penny-pinching parent, this can be puzzling.

So, raising a kid in a tiny house: yeah or nah? If you’re willing to compromise with the challenges and growing pains along the way, then it might be just worth it. If you’re not in the right place or financial situation to raise a kid in a restricted space, then we don’t recommend it.

If you’re still on the fence about making a solid decision, don’t worry. In this post, we listed the important considerations of raising a kid in a tiny house.

By the end of this post, perhaps you can decide better if it’s worth it or not.

Table of Contents

Raising a kid in a tiny house: Things to consider

We’re not talking about a little baby here. We’re talking about a kid who already pitter-patters around the house, mouths words, and demands toys. Therefore, you should be anything but rash in deciding to raise them in a little house.

A lot of things can happen, most of which you won’t even anticipate. So, before you jump on the bandwagon, carefully mull over these factors first.

1. The ethics of the act itself

a kid playing with wooden blocks. — Is it right to raise a kid in a tiny house?

Raising a child is both rewarding and challenging. The sad thing is most parents rarely feel the former.

Now, if you’re stuck in making a decision that involves them, just think about this: it’s about your kid, not you.

It’s not enough to love a child. You also have to meet their needs, which will be drastically different than yours. Moreover, since they will depend on you, you have to put your interests behind theirs.

These are your kids’ early childhood needs that you should fulfill, which is based on Maslow’s Hierarchy o f Needs.

Basic needs.

a little boy playing with a fat cat. — Make sure your little one is comfy in a cramped space.

Anything that they need to live and breathe—adequate food, shelter, and clothing. Make sure you can supply those needs for them, despite living in a tiny house or moving around constantly.

Comfort needs.

We’re not just talking about a soft bed or a sturdy study table for them. Comfort needs are also things that maintain consistency, such as a routine. Having one will help make your child feel secure.

Psychological needs.

According to childcare experts, toddlers’ psychological needs develop quickly. That’s why you need to establish a healthy relationship with them early on. If you think a tiny house is not a hindrance to sustaining that, then carry on.

Are you absolutely confident that you can provide those needs in a tiny house? If yes, then maybe you can move forward with your decision.

2. Your finances

a little girl choosing dresses in a rack of clothes. — Kids’ needs can quickly change.

One thought that might be floating in your mind is:

“The purpose of living in a tiny house is to save money… so, why worry about my finances for my kids?”

Oh, what a naive thought.

Sure, compared to living in a larger house, you can save more money in utility bills when residing in a small abode. However, it’s different when you’re raising a kid.

You have to budget even tighter since they grow quickly, which means their needs will also multiply. Case in point: a 2-year-old will have way simpler needs than a 3-year-old who’s going to preschool.

Add that to the hidden costs of owning a tiny house, and your budget plan will likely fluctuate from time to time. This makes budgeting a battle.

Moreover, since space is limited in your home, you have to practice a “quality over quantity” mindset. That means you will really have to spend on long-lasting, space-saving stuff, which sometimes costs more than regular house stuff.

3. The furniture

kids' furniture in a bedroom. — You have to be extra picky with your kids’ furniture.

When you think of furniture pieces in a tiny house, you want comfortable and space-saving. But you’re missing some aspects.

Since you will be living with a kid, opt for furniture with kid-friendly materials. That means water-proof, sturdy components, and dark-hued fabrics since spillage is likely to happen.

Some kid-friendly fabrics are the following:

Leather, which is very much water-proof but also elegant.
Microfiber, which is stain-resistant and feels nice to the skin.
Wool, which is reliable and doesn’t tear easily.

Another good point to consider is the design and function.

Having kids (or even just one), you will definitely need more storage. You will also require something with more than one purpose. This way, you can avoid spending on more equipment, which will occupy more space.

As a result, look for dual-purpose furniture for kids such as:

(Note, we’ve added some recommendations on each item, make sure to check the links to see our product recommendations).

Wall-mounted table with a chalkboard on one side.
Adjustable high-chair, which you can also use since you can change the sitting height.
3-in-1 table—coffee table, chair, and bedside table in one.
Collapsible stools, beds, and couches with added storage underneath.
Loft bed with desk and storage underneath.

4. Privacy

a mom trying to work on her laptop but exhausted by the presence of her kid.

Your child should run free and play, just like how every other kid should. But if you are residents in a tiny house, this might become a challenge for both of you.

Your kid might easily bother you since there’s little space for them to explore inside your house. On the other hand, a child also needs some alone time every now and then.

So, what will you do? Here are some solutions.

First, set some rules.

If your kid is already old enough to recognize rules and consequences, then don’t hesitate to establish a few. For example, if you work at home, make it a rule not to run around inside during the day.

Buy noise-canceling headphones.

Another solution is to buy a noise-canceling headphone. Yep. It’s as easy as that. Think of it as an investment—noise-canceling headphones will give you peace wherever you are and whatever happens around you.

Put the playspace at the loft.

Just lay down some colorful mats, comfy blankets, and toy bins, and you’re good to go. You can also put a safety gate on the stairs if they try to break out of baby jail time.

Let them play outside.

If you’re confident about the safety of your area, then let them run free. Besides, kids need to explore and play with dirt occasionally, so their immune system will toughen up.

5. The kid

a working mom dressing up her kid — Think about your kid, too.

Finally, the most crucial consideration of them all… the kids!

If your kid is already old enough to voice out their opinions, they might be against living in a tiny house.

Although you still have the final say, it’s important that you still consider their personality and their thoughts about it. What if they’re extroverted or claustrophobic? What if they don’t just feel living in a tiny abode?

Making a decision will be extra difficult for you.

Nevertheless, don’t forget to put them in your thoughts when deciding. Through this, you will also determine how to make a small residence more welcoming for them and more productive for their growth.

The Verdict

And the verdict is… totally up to you.

Are you willing to compromise in most of those factors we mentioned? If yes, then you should raise your kid in a tiny house. If you’re not committed to making big changes, then it’s best if you delay in raising a kid in a tiny house.