Having a new baby in a tiny house is a recipe for some hard-won improvisational parenting tips!
Katherine Erickson
Katherine and Steven Erickson started their bus living journey in 2009 when they purchased a converted 1978 International school bus. The couple was determined to shrink their life down to whatever would fit in its 200 square foot floor plan.
Their new home, a 1978 International retired school bus.
Katherine Erickson
Late in 2014, they had a new baby and made the brave decision to share that story with the world on their blog, Catching Eddies!
This custom, space saving cradle took some time for baby to grow into.
Katherine Erickson
If you are about to embark on starting a family in a tiny home, you should write them a thank you note, and then settle down to read their story about raising a baby in their own tiny house. Their story is filled with encouragement, great tips and a big dose of what parenting in a tiny space is really like.
Katherine describes their life, in part, through the term:
Busonomics: noun; The branch of knowledge concerned with how to live well in a school bus.
So, what were the takeaways from reading Katherine’s monthly posts about life with a baby in a tiny house? Here are three that we think all parents will appreciate.
1. There are Pluses to Raising Babies in Small Spaces
It’s not all harder. For instance, a baby in a tiny house is always within your view. There is no wondering what they are up to. You simply look up and find out.
Being close makes checking on baby easy!
Katherine Erickson
Babies enjoy being close to their parents and intimate spaces make that much easier than in a more spacious living situation.
2. Choose Tools That Work for You
In the confines of a bus, the Erickson’s found parenting essentials that modern parents depend on, such as swings and jumpers, took up too much space.
Wraps and slings keep baby entertained and bring Mom and child closer!
Katherine Erickson
Katherine found that wearing the baby in a pack, wrap, or sling provided the same soothing feeling for her child as bulky swings and cradles would provide. The baby carriers allowed her to remain closer to her infant, and provide that Motherly touch little babies crave. She also had her hands free to do chores around the tiny house.
Cooking utensils double well as toys, and prevent the need for extensive toy storage. Things like an inflatable exercise ball can serve double duty. Katherine would bounce her baby to sleep on the ball, in lieu of a rocking chair.
3. Order Can Still Be Found
Once they had made their peace with having a baby in a tiny house, they found ways to make small changes in every day routines, making life with a newborn (slightly) less stressful.
In a small space, clutter will soon overwhelm. Cleaning becomes routine!
Katherine Erickson
For example, Katherine realized that cooking with a baby in a sling over a hot stove would be dangerous.
She shifted her meal preparation routine to make use of a crockpot. The crockpot allowed her to prep food all at once, and she didn’t have to watch the stove or oven constantly.
In Conclusion
If you are about to embark on the adventure of raising a baby in a tiny house, first – congratulations! Second, remember you took on this life to do something different.
Find your way of making it work. Look for those who are doing it well and take inspiration. Most importantly, enjoy these moments as they will not last forever!
