Did you know that remodeling your home can be as stressful as moving into a new one?
You may have decided to remodel the old kitchen, or perhaps you’re adding on to your home so that mom or dad can live with you.
These days, if you’re part of the so-called sandwich generation, your grown child may be living at home as well.
Whatever the reason, if you’re planning to remodel, it’s important to get the family prepared. It’s tough to live in a home under construction. Making a solid plan is important to your sanity, and it will keep everyone on good terms. Knowing where you will sleep, shower and eat is very important. People get cranky when the basics of life are not readily available.
It’s my belief that if you are remodeling the entire house, you should move out, but many people choose not to. It’s an additional expense, and moving even temporarily takes a lot of effort, so you may prefer to put up with the noise and disruption.
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Even so, having some ground rules helps. For example, you’ll want to hire contractors who are willing to clean up daily, so you can function somewhat normally in your home at night. It’s also a good idea to keep at least one room and one bathroom fully functional at all times.
The kitchen is the heart of most homes, so if it’s being remodeled, you need to create an alternative. The backyard barbecue is a great way to enjoy family meals if your kitchen is in pieces, and I have always been a big fan of takeout. Some people choose to camp in their own backyards or use a motor home until the dust settles.
Of course, if you are moving into a new home, you’ll have no dust to deal with, but you will still need to plan ahead. Many people wait until the last minute to pack, which is always a bad idea. Whether downsizing to a smaller home or opting for a bigger space, moving takes a lot of planning. As we mature and our families grow, we end up with more, rather than less, things to move or get rid of. If you plan ahead, it will lower your stress level greatly.
It’s wise to keep your eyes on the finish line. Knowing this disruption in your life is temporary can help ease some of the tension. Once your family is settled into your new or newly remodeled home, life will be sweeter, and you can enjoy this space you have created in your lives.
When you’re in the middle of making these kinds of changes, you may not be able to see that what you’re going through now will make your family more comfortable and closer in the long run. Try and remember that part.
Barton Goldsmith, Ph.D. is an award-winning psychotherapist and humanitarian. He is also a columnist, the author of eight books, and a blogger for PsychologyToday.com with more than 34 million readers. He is available for video consults world-wide, reach him at [email protected]
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