Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Jun 04, 2008 12:16 pm Hi all,
Just wondering how everyone gets through the decision, selection, building/renovating process with kids. Thought we could share our tips. I'll let you know what my strategies have been and will be. Obviously things are age appropraiate, my son (R) is nine. Once the decision was made to build, R soon became very sick of display village trips. Mcdonalds only works so many times! So I decided on a long term strategy. Lap top computer, the week we move in, if he could refrain from complaining thru the whole thing! It's been over 12 months since looking thru displays began and we haven't started building yet, but it has worked like a charm. When things get tough, meetings that last all day, etc, I might bump up the computer package with some software. Also, R was given the opportunity to select colours for the main bathroom. Within reason. He selected his colours, blue/grey, I put together a big range of tiles, laminates, etc that fitted the bill, and he makes final selection from those samples. I guess that's controlled creative license. We will put in our feature walls after hand over, but we let him pick a colour to do one wall in the playroom that the builder will do. this meant he spent all his time looking thru paint colours to get the right blue/grey for his "palette" that I was free to get on with choosing the house colours. Again worked well. I think most of all they just want to be involved! What are everyone else's tips? Jo P.S. Phoenix, not sure if this is best place for topic, or is building better? Put it where you think best. I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: How did you survive this process with kids? 2Jun 04, 2008 12:35 pm We have an 11yo and a 4yo so co-ordinating it was fun, to say the least....
Yes, the display home trips always had to go hand in hand with a fun event or a really good playground so that it was always a win-win situation, yes and Mcdonalds assisted on many occasions.... Sometimes, we dropped them off with the parents so that we could seriously go through homes. Our 4yo loves cushions, and getting up on those beautifully arranged beds, so it was difficult. The appointments were ALWAYS child-free, there was no way we were going to have any more stress than was necessary at those times. We've made the deal that they have full reign over the playroom for the first month, without any time limits or whinging from us to make up for all the inconvenience they've had to date. They agreed and are eagerly waiting to move in so they can find the PS2 that's been accidentally lost in storage for the past 11 months!!! Re: How did you survive this process with kids? 3Jun 04, 2008 12:58 pm **Phoenix** Yes, the display home trips always had to go hand in hand with a fun event or a really good playground so that it was always a win-win situation, yes and Mcdonalds assisted on many occasions.... When we were doing this fortunately we only had the three year old.....it was very important to start the day early, map out where the playgrounds were, and accept that you are not going to get through it in one day. Start on the Saturday and pick up loose ends on Sunday. You just can't push them through a full eight hours of display homes as they get annoyed and won't want to go next time around. For us too It's been one of the few occasions we've "dined" at Maccas. No philosophical problems with McDonalds, but when we go out for breakfast with the kids it's usually Williamstown, Docklands, Southbank, etc. mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: How did you survive this process with kids? 4Jun 04, 2008 1:15 pm I have a five year old and a three year old. They love display homes more than me. They race into one - straight to the bedrooms and each choose one - then tell me whether they like or dislike this house - then onto the next one. The selection criteria for whether they like or dislike a house is usually based on the furniture and doona cover in the childrens bedroom. We are building a double storey house but they have forced me through all the single storey ones too. They were devastated when they realised they were not coming to the colour selection. Fi has moved in!! Re: How did you survive this process with kids? 5Jun 04, 2008 1:38 pm brittany I have a five year old and a three year old. They love display homes more than me. Same here ... my 3 year old was happy to spend hours going through the displays. The only problem we had was getting her to leave them! Re: How did you survive this process with kids? 7Jun 04, 2008 2:26 pm My three year old loved the displays too! He'd run around and hide in the cupboards and robes and surprise us when we entered the rooms. The little one was just happy to be chasing her brother so she'd hide in there too but burst out at the wrong times, very cute. Re: How did you survive this process with kids? 8Jun 04, 2008 2:58 pm It's not often I get upset, and I know Adrian was only having a joke, but a picture of a bottle of that stuff makes my blood boil!
It is evil, evil stuff that should be bloody hard to get hold of. Years ago my mum used to sell in home stuff and I remember her stories of the clients' kids doped up on the stuff so as not to interrupt the mummies having a chardy. What?!? We teach our kids that drugs (even over the counter ones) are the answer when things get hard, then wonder why they grow up to stick needles in their arms. That stuff has its place but..... Sorry, sermon over, off my chest, I'll calm now. Jo P.S. Not having a go Adrian, know you were having a joke, it just makes my blood boil. I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: How did you survive this process with kids? 9Jun 04, 2008 4:13 pm Living in a small country town we didn't have the option of looking through any display homes but we've had 5 or 6 trips to Adelaide in the past couple of years to make selections etc & most times we have left the boys (8 & 5) home with the grandparents.
I remember one trip that they did come on & I was having a heart attack in a place that sold doors, wardrobes etc as I was watching them run around the shop opening & shutting all the doors as I was trying to talk to the salesperson. Left them home after that . Because DH has been doing a lot of the work himself he has been "at the block" every weekend for over 12 months. The kids went through a patch over summer that they would complain & say that they were sick of the block & never wanted to go there, but now that they can have a little fire going & cook marshmallows again they spend hours there Jo Re: How did you survive this process with kids? 11Jun 04, 2008 4:48 pm we bought our 5 yo some rubber boots and she goes splashing around in the mud at the site. Not the most ideal especially when she gets in the car but it has stopped her complaining. She usually comes back with another kid in tow from one of the neighbouring blocks. We are all pretty much at similar stages of building in the street and tend to look after one another's kids when we are on site.
Visiting displays was a nightmare ... so we tried to do the main selections without her. But bribery ... yeah that works. The laptop is a surprise for her birthday so we couldn't use that one. Generally speaking she is 'over' the building process and hasn't been excited in ages. I think she believes it's never going to happen . Re: How did you survive this process with kids? 12Jun 04, 2008 8:00 pm we have a 12 yr old and a 9 yr old. The youngest has been heard already on many occasions to protest that are we really going to look at the block again???? Or what another trip to Bunbury ( ~30 mins away) to visit that place!!! ( the builders/tile shop) We usually get them to take small toys, a book, a portable dvd player etc when we have to go. Unfortunately choosing to do a tree change we don't have people we can leave them with as we are new to the area. At the tile shop the last 2 times and the cork supplier we were able to leave them in the car right outside the shop and less than 5 m from us. thank goodness they didn't kill each other. Must have been the "take away" bribe. We've only gone near a display house once since before we sold the house last year. Youngest loved the hiding game when we went display home browsing.
We have taken a few drives around display villages a couple of times though and the newer building areas near us a couple of time to check out bricks, garages, roof's etc and discuss what we like/ take photos etc. the boys are never very impressed. Re: How did you survive this process with kids? 13Jun 04, 2008 8:14 pm Actually, we looked at so mand DS (11) took to waiting in the car playing his nintendo.
When we looked at this house we bought he thought it was another display home and waited in the car. Second time we looked he was at a friends house. he never saw the house till we moved in!! Paula Re: How did you survive this process with kids? 14Jun 04, 2008 10:42 pm 3yr old & 5yr old here. Well getting closer to 4 & 6 I suppose.
Anyway we did a bit of driving around new estates, the kids are very used to driving (done 2 trips across the Nullabor, also Townsville to Canberra etc) so they just go to sleep if tired. Driving is easy! We chose our place off the plan mainly so didn't actually go into too many display homes or anything. The tile shop had toys - thank god! It's absolutely fantastic how many places have toys that will keep kids this age happy. The builders had some for the pre-start too, and the kids knew that we go for a special lunch (MacDonalds etc) after we're done. Looking at the block isn't going to a problem for us, we're living in a big shed that's on the property! However keeping the kids out of there could be a challenge, especially if there is a nice pile of sand or something! Re: How did you survive this process with kids? 15Jun 04, 2008 11:50 pm My kids are a bit older (12 & 14), so it was easier. Notice I said "easier" and not "easy". The really only had to do a couple of house trips with us. I did the majority on my own. I don't think it would be much fun to do with little kids.
We're also in a fairly unique situation in that where we're building is just around the corner from where we are now (2-3 min walk). They go over there every day in summer to clean and swim in the pool. I'll also be able to keep an eye on things easily. Judie Re: How did you survive this process with kids? 16Jun 05, 2008 4:38 pm We have three kids. 4 yo, 2 1/2 yo and 10 months (she can walk at 9 months. It was a NIGHTMARE taking them to display homes. And no prams allowed!
Unfortunately, we don't have anyone to babysit so we look at floor plans beforehand, then visit them if we like the plan. The most worrisome thing is the stairs They would climb up and down with the young one following. The other thing is fake fruits and rock displays! My kids think they are great toys and they try to take them home! Our trick is lots of toys, lollies and Macca's (what a would we do without fastfood???). Plus, at Homeworld, we can park right in front of the display home and we take turns going in the house while the other one stays in the car or park with the kids. Re: How did you survive this process with kids? 17Jun 05, 2008 5:42 pm So glad my 2 boys are older, we had to go to Adelaide for 5 days for selections and left them home alone. (16 and 21 yrs old )
Just as well they didn't throw a Corey watisname type party though Re: How did you survive this process with kids? 18Jun 05, 2008 5:46 pm Helyn,
My son is worried about ME throwing the Corey-like parties! They really shouldn't have let me have a child! Jo I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: How did you survive this process with kids? 19Jun 06, 2008 2:45 pm We started looking at Land and Displays back in January. I would search through the net during the week and make a shortlist for the weekend. We were very lucky with our kids they handled it really well and only needed a few reminders of losing the telly or something to get them back into line Ours are aged 10, 5 and 3. We'd always stop at a playground at some point of the day as there was always one in the Estate. Although I do remeber going to Derrimut one day and they all left the car and went onto the oval with the footy - husband included.......I looked at those houses myself!
Every time we went to a display I'd say "right go and find your bedroom and wait for me to come" this worked a treat and they would be waiting patiently for me in "their" room. Once or twice I found the two girls sitting on the same bed On the hot days they opted to stay car in the car and watch movies. After we bought our block and picked our house, DH did the initial walk through with me and then opted to stay home with the kids after that. So I dragged my sister to look at colours, tiles etc and then DH came to the appointments so he knew what we were getting and he was happy with everything. He actually thinks he got the better end of the deal ! So it worked well for us. Colours, tiles, paint etc do nothing for my husband he is very easy going and will be happy with what I pick! Only problem is there is no-one to blame but me if it all looks awful!!! I take master 3yo out to our display at least once a f/n and he just makes himself at home. He sat at the breakfast bar last week and ate his sandwich! Or hides in the cupboard under the stairs and waits for me to find him which I'm never in a hurry to do!!! Happy at Home Re: How did you survive this process with kids? 20Jun 11, 2008 1:05 pm My kids (12,10 ,8 and 6 and 1/2) reckon we've been to every display home in Melbourne - twice!!! We normally do the "cone from Mc Donald's" bribe, and let them watch a movie (mind you that in itself often causes WW3!!!) or the boys play their DSs and DD plays her Leapster. On not too hot days we would sometimes leave them watching a movie, and leave my mobile set up to call DH's with the oldest. It's so hard, isn't it ? It's such a necessary thing, and , for me, at least, really enjoyable, but it's like torture to them after a while! I also tried the "go find your room" trick a number of times, but that wore off pretty quickly! Often the PD displays would have a movie playing in the home theatre, so that was good - agai, for a limited time...oh, and they weren't particularly interested in "The Corr's Live in Dublin"...or wherever!!! I just had the best day on Sunday - went on my own to about 25 display homes, looking casually, and taking it all in properly - bliss!!!
Oh, and as for the Phenergen, I have tried that (under medical advice for a good reason) on 2 of my 4 kids, and it has the OPPOSITE effect - they go hyper !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Needless to say, I never touched it again after the second time! Bathroom renovation will likely include a back-to-corner bath and we’re considering a freestanding tap with hand-held shower such as the picture included. My hesitation… 0 24682 After some ideas on making our patio kid friendly . Currently we have exposed aggregate. The patio faces west and is always in sun even though it has a shade directly… 0 3506 I apologise for any confusion, but your understanding is correct. We approached our situation differently based on advice from… 11 53101 |