Are you a Host with children?

[Stephanie]

Hiya everyone,

As some of you know, I’ve got a little one of my own and he can be a right handful, especially when balancing work, buying and selling a house and a plethora of other bits and pieces in the day-to-day. 

This got me to thinking, I wonder what it’s like to handle children when trying to Host, too? Are they supportive co-hosts or hindering “helpers”? I know many of you have kids that are grown up with kids of their own now, which is what has freed up that spare room for you to Airbnb!

Do you have helpful co-hosts or less cooperative kids?

Put me to shame, show me how you keep those plates spinning. I look forward to your stories.

Thanks,

Stephanie

[Elisabeth805]

I have a 6 and 4 year old, and we host guests in the studio above our garage.  I'd say they can be both (but mostly a hindrance, ha ha).  I've spent a lot of time training the kids not to leave toys/bikes/rock&stick collections in the guests' path.  And that they can't go up to the studio when guests are around.  Once we couldn't find my 4 year old and after a frantic search, found him hanging out with our guests on their porch, disrupting their quiet sunset w/wine by regaling them with tales from his TV show pj masks.  Luckily, they were a nice couple and it wasn't for a long time, but was awkward (and honestly a tiny bit unnerving--these are strangers after all).  And, before school went back to in person, there was a time I had to bring them with me while I cleaned up and turned it over--they would often make the mess worse; one snuck cereal up and it got everywhere, both ran in with muddy shoes and jumped on the mattress protector getting it dirty, using the toilet after I had just sanitized it, and so many footprints on clean floors/walls/armchairs.

But here's the part where they are helpful: I make it abundantly clear we have kids and spend a lot of time in our yard, so guests should expect some noise and visual clutter from toys scattered in the yard.  I emphasize it multiple places and I think it keeps the party animals and irritable guests away.  My kids learning to be friendly (case in point: 4 year old chatting up the guests) which is an important value to us, but also we've talked about not going into their apartment (or their porch, now) or going anywhere with guests, so I'm feeling pretty safe about it.

To sum up: like any endeavor with kids tagging along, it's harder.  But also good.  And it's given the kids a way to interact socially with strangers with my supervision, which is really good.

[Muganda0]

This is so me, you just can't stop them from going to guests and playing around. I have 5 and 3year old girls and I can relate. However, I have learnt to let them be if the guests are ok with them being around.

[Serap17]

I need to learn more from you, how to involve my 7 years old 🙂 He is a bit shy to speak. 

[Lillian112]

No children here.

[Gabriela1082]

My 12 yo daughter hates our business because we have no time like before or I'm too tired for what she wants. On the other hand,my son 7 yo likes to go with us around and when is possible to meet the clients. He even ask me if can knock to their door and say "Michael -service" :))) Poor him because of this pandemic time had to come all day with us because online school wasn't option for him. It seems to be a very interesting business for him as he is going inside of the hotels to visit it. Of course when the clients are calling he doesn't care to ask 1000 questions exactly in that time and my daughter hates to see me spending so much time for that.

After all,it doesn't matter how good you explain the instructions, the guests will still call you because they don't follow the messages. Funny thing is when they don't speak English and call you. That's unbelievable because i know for the fact that Airbnb translate the messages in whatever language you know. 

With the apartments for the guests I'm very strict about cleaning but our house is in a totally chaos... kids, 2 dogs, 6 cats doesn't help too much either:))

[Ranveer3]

I have no kids . Hope host with him

[Naima37]

Hello every body ihave no kids and any experience with them

[Lana15]

Thank you for the interesting topic. I have never wondered about other hosts and their children...only mine and how to manage their family home to stay their own refuge and calm haven .I had to sell the idea to them...they were pre teens and a teen. I did a proposal...and we decided to start with 2 weekends a month. It was stresful for them for they had to move their clothes and projects downstairs twice a month . We organised a tupperbox system . And we could evacuate the topfloor within an hour...pets included , to start cleaning. 

It helped them to sort out unwanted and unused toys and we gave away a lot of clothes in those days. 

We proceeded to every weekend and eventually they helped my husband  develop the groundfloor unit into their own space . We gave them carte blanche on space- needs and computer gadget stand etc. . They loved that. 

When we moved downstairs  permanently , they became partners in one of our units. They clean and they make beds and prepare barbeque area for their unit. They are never out of pocket money!. They are now actively involved in budget for their unit  for new bedding , cleaning supplies , curtains and garden as well as condiments.  They saw firsthand the effect  the pandemic had and  learnt that you have to put away money for the quiet times. 

All in all ..it was not always easy for them as they had to see mom constantly on her phone managing the property and guests and cleaning.  Stopping to read a message wherever you are or whatever you are doing was difficult at sports or social gatherings...but they understand that fully now . Responsibility and social interaction...budget and financial planning made them aware of bussines and life. Many public speaking topics ...were also done about their house that became a rental home/family home . 

To stay quiet and not play with the dogs inside the house was one of our biggest challenges. Also rowdy friends and sleepovers and late night arrivals from their social life had to be planned not to bother our guests. They had lovely adventures and we made a point to show them the house has paid for that . 

They learnt to appreciate their house and the priviliges it gave them

[Laura3897]

My short term space is connected to my home.

I have 2 grown adult children, one is married.  I have to manage/control their noise as well as hosts’ with small children. LoL!🤫

[Sunbeam0]

Hi family

My youngest son is 24 and at college. He was not comfortable hosting when  I started but now he helps me when is on holiday. He is neat and thorough.

And I have my 3 year old granddaughter who is so friendly and really lives showing the guest around. 

So I have to manhandle her back to the house once in the house she will not interfere.

[Frank1211]

I am a host with three kids, the older ones get put to work, simple tasks cleaning patio etc.  they learn basic maintenance, light bulbs, a little plumbing and so on.

Only issues are the kids can be a little noisy, our rental is below us on the first floor, so we have had to do some soundproofing.

Generally the kids are a plus, for they can take over some tasks for us.

Don’t let the kids stop you from hosting!  Put them to work 😉

[Anna10757]

Hi everyone! I am also host with my little co-host. Moreover I am pregnant now. And I feel it's not a problem at all to be a host. Otherwise to be a host helps me a lot. I can be flexible.

[Kate1981]

I have three very young kids and host in the in-law suite attached to our home. Since we already have a crib, baby swing, high chair, etc, as well as a swimming pool, we market our place to families. We have met some amazing people, including a wheelchair-bound mother of four who made us all want to be kinder to the world, and a family with a five-year old whose father was terminally ill, and helped our compassion expand exponentially. My kids are now used to having “neighbors” in the unit, and they enjoy meeting new friends to play with. Unfortunately, we had one awful couple who smoked pot nonstop and didn’t care about the potential impact on our kiddos, so we had to fight to kick them out. Other than that, I think the experience has been a net positive for our little ones (and mom!)

[Annie1359]

We have kiddos and our Airbnb and primary home are connected. Our kids help with turning the suite over when able, and are learning what quiet hours are! I can’t imagine hosting solo with toddlers underfoot, but I’m loving exposing our children to many people from different areas and on different paths. 

[Michelle-Marie0]

It’s so nice to see all the opinions above.

I’m also a working mother of three children. 
Besides Airbnb I also work with my husband at his decorating company.

The fact that I have three kids in different ages has helped me a lot with my hosting experience.

when my guests tell me that they have children I ask if they are boys or girls and what ages. This helps me get a few toys ready for them and I put some teddy bears on their beds. Pink or blue just to make it a bit fun.

Also I have bath towels with faces for the babies or colorful ones for the kids according to their  ages. I’ve also added in the living room a play tent that assembles quickly when my guests have kids or disassembles and goes in the cupboard if they don’t!

All this , I’m greatfull to my kids that have taught me through their  faces what to expect from other children of similar ages and how to show care and understanding to all the little ones.

I really get excited when I host families , I like getting my apartment ready for them.

having children and hosting the same time can be a challenge  , but the fact that we have children can help us be better hosts for families with children.