When we have children we become the masters of life. Of course, we aren’t, we are usually just feeling our way, making plenty of mistakes behind the scenes and feeling a little bit lost. However to our children we are the masters. Gurus to learn everything from. As our children become adults though, they start realising that we may not know everything there is to know about living and start to want more freedom of their own. The more of the wide world they see, the more they increase their awareness. This can happen through their college years and even more so as they learn to drive.
One of the best gifts you can give your children is the art of independence. Teaching them how to survive in the big wild world on their own. However, most parents will want to keep a watchful eye on their children as this happens. So a really great idea is to find them a space which is part of your home, but give them their own front door and their own responsibilities.
Not everyone can afford an extension, however if you can this could be a great way of setting your children on the first few steps before they fly the nest. You’ll need a healthy budget and contact to lots of professionals such as architects and builders who can advise you on what is possible, the best way of installing a new kitchen and the most superior residential roofing to keep your extension weatherproof. This isn’t going to be a small budget process however it will add more value to your home when they leave. So if you have the money is a worth investment. You could also consider letting it out once your children have left and taking a small income from it. But you will need advice on if this is possible.
They should have a small set up, single floor and perhaps a studio style. A kitchen of their own and a washing machine plumbed in. This way you can help them to learn the basic skills they need to keep themselves tidy and organised when they head off for their first new home.
If you don’t have a budget big enough to start a fresh extension then you could consider converting your garage. There has been a huge rise in the number of garage conversions and this small space living can offer something really amazing at a more affordable price. Again, if you install a small kitchen and bathroom then keep the living space to one room, you could use it to let out in the summer or as an extension to your home when the family comes back at christmas.
Teach them about bills by charging them a small rent, this should include some electricity and water charges too. Sit down as a family and go through the bills together and then don’t let them off the payments. You are teaching them the first few steps of independent living whilst keeping them under your watchful eye.
Just bear in mind you may have to put up with a few parties in the first few months!
