9 Tips for Families in Apartments

1. Designate a play area within the apartment. Even if it means giving the kids the biggest room and especially if your children share a bedroom. Make sure they have plenty of space with their toys without encroaching on communal living spaces.

2. Make sure everything has a place. Find a home for every single item you own so that cleaning up is quicker and easier; if you run out of space then consider alternative storage solutions or getting rid of clutter.

3. Don't risk getting attached. Resist being sentimental about things like artwork. Instead, keep only one or two pieces each month and sort through your keepsake box a couple of times a year to re-evaluate what's inside.

4. Go easy on birthdays. Focus on small things or experiences - tickets to an amusement park, circus, sporting event - when buying birthday presents. Material possessions are often used once or forgotten about by kids, but memories last a lifetime. You can also ask relatives who are prone to spoiling to buy one big-ticket item instead. 

5. Be realistic about your space limitations. Avoid buying things like train tables or plush kid-sized chairs that will take up too much space in your apartment. If you can’t resist, ensure that they can break down and are easily stowable.

6. Avoid buying multiples wherever possible. If you can stay on top of cleaning, one or two sippy cups or bath towels per child is sufficient.

7. Don't fill every square inch with stuff. Living in a city can be chaotic enough, let alone raising children. You’ll want empty spaces to provide somewhere calming for your eyes to rest when you come home.

8. Enjoy the outdoors! Spend time outside whenever possible. It can help reset cranky moods, encourage kids to interact with others besides parents, and expand the boundaries beyond four walls into neighborhoods full of parks, community gardens, etcetera… Let your kids get their energy out so that you can all enjoy some peace and quiet when you get home and the day is done.

9. Be mindful of neighbors. Sometimes children can’t help but to be noisy. Try not to disturb them on top of that with loud music or television.

The Takeaway

It can be hard to make decisions about what is essential, or maintaining noise levels, when choosing to live in an apartment. On the other hand, choosing to live in a walkable neighborhood or near other families can make all the difference when it comes to socialization opportunities for your children. It won’t all be rainbows and butterflies, but you can hope that it leads to more quality bonding time and a greater family closeness.

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