When as a child, I was dreaming of my future as a parent, I never would have said that I could best serve my child by moving to a house in need of work. Had you asked me even two months ago, I still wouldn’t have included that in my list of things I wanted to do as a parent. Then I did it, still wondering if I was doing the right thing. With economy the way it is, many parents have to resort to buying homes that need work, if they can by them at all. It’s important to know the ways that you can make this be a benefit to your child.
Show them how to appreciate everything they have. When we moved to this house, the well wasn’t providing any water. For a few days we transported water from friends and relatives. It took a lot of work to get things going, but in the meantime my son and I both realized how much water we had wasted and taken for granted.
Teach some new skills. I did plan to have my son do some small things around the house. I just didn’t know then how handy that would come in for him. When his puppy died, I handed him a low power drill to help create some holes for plumbing. It took his mind off of things and created an interest in power tools. Even if some of the holes are slanted, he can feel pride every time he walks by one of them or turns a faucet on.
The family that works together stays together. When I was a child we had a plaque that read “The family that prays together, stays together.” While that is certainly true, saying the same thing over and over can become more of a habit than a proactive measure. However, when you sit down to dinner with your kids after having worked on the house together, that prayer might take on a bit more meaning and your family is likely to have a new appreciation for each other.
Live the rule of not judging a book by its cover. All too often we judge without knowing. The things that go on in a house are not always represented by the house itself. Rehab houses offer a special reminder of that.
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Source: Personal experience