Modern Family – Self Storage As Your Kids Grow
Families. In the words of Michael J Fox; “Family is not an important thing, it’s everything.” In the words of Ray Romano; “Having children is like living in a frat house. Nobody sleeps, everything is broken and there’s a lot of throwing up.”
The decision to start a family is one of the biggest ones we’ll ever make – and it’s a long-term commitment. The average age from which Irish parents expect their children to fully support themselves is 24 years.
Ironically, Irish families are getting smaller – a February 2024 study published on statista.com shows that in the mid 1800’s, Irish women could expect to have over four children in their lives. By 2020, that had dropped to 1.8 children per woman. However, what we’re lacking in size, we’re sure making up for in stuff.
A NEW ARRIVAL
The first year of a baby’s life can cost up to €15,000. That’s prams, Moses baskets, carriers, cots, clothing, feeding and sterilising equipment, bottles, car seats, nursery furniture, toys and any specialist equipment you might need – it’s no secret that preparing for a newborn – or newborns! – requires an exhaustive list of safe, clean and appropriate apparatus to make life that bit easier.
Where to keep all this gear is another challenge, often coinciding with a move to a larger home, or an extension or renovation of an existing one, to make room for the new arrival. It makes sense to start gathering in plenty of time, phasing the acquisitions if possible and storing them away bit by bit. Therefore, it might also make sense to consider another addition to the family at this time – a self-storage unit.
Using a self-storage unit to prepare for the arrival of a new baby is a great way to keep your home neat while nesting plus it’s ideal for facilitating the build up of a stash of those extras like nappies, creams, lotions, wipes and adorable clothes (which they will grow out of in approximately five minutes). Whether you’re buying new, getting second-hand or receiving as gifts, your self-storage unit is a safe, clean place to accumulate your baby’s bits and bobs and ensure that they’re accessible as and when you need them.
TODDLER BOTHER
Cute as they are, babies don’t stay babies for long and in the blink of an eye you’ve got yourself a toddler or – even more, ahem, exciting – multiple toddlers. Jerry Seinfeld nailed this phase when he said “A two-year old is kind of like having a blender, but you don’t have a top for it”.
When it comes to toddlers, you’re into balance bikes, toddler beds and bedding, bigger equipment, bigger toys, and plenty more of them, potty training paraphernalia, new car seats, a high chair, a stroller and undoubtedly, some things you’ve never heard of.
So where does all the smaller baby stuff go? If you’re one and done, then it’s not so much of a problem – kept in good nick, it can be passed on or sold. If, however, your family planning extends to future expansion, you’re going to want to keep everything your baby has grown out of for when a future sibling (or siblings) comes along.
But don’t worry – your trusty self-storage unit is waiting with open arms – or securely lockable doors, at least; protected by the watchful eye of CCTV and monitored 24-hours. And, because it’s probably not as expensive as you think to rent a unit (with a flexible lease in the lease so you can upsize or downsize as necessary) your self-storage unit could be an investment that’s worth every cent. By keeping your belongings safe, but out of your hair (unlike the pureed peas which your toddler artfully placed there at lunchtime), you’ll have one less thing to worry about!
TWO’S COMPANY, THREE’S …
…quite the challenge! Yes – it’s unavoidable that your home is going to be cluttered with very young children about, all at different life stages but your self-storage unit will still be a godsend. Use it to store seasonal items such as clothing or bedding, or items that one child has grown out of but a younger sibling isn’t quite ready to fit into or use yet, such as bikes, games and books.
A self-storage unit is also a great way to make space for everything your growing family needs to have on hand right here, right now. Stash away other items that aren’t always in use like seasonal decorations, gardening equipment, suitcases, winter shoes and coats, summer outdoor furniture – there’s plenty of stuff that can make a temporary shift to a secure storage unit to make neat space for nappies, nick-nacks and other necessary items in a home which can resemble Heuston Station at rush hour.
BEST DAYS OF YOUR LIFE
Schooldays, that is. From the day when your little scholar pops on their backpack for the first time to the one when they emerge for the last from an exam hall takes approximately five minutes. It’s a whirlwind – hectic schedules, after-school activities, playdates, school trips and everything in-between. During this blink-and-you’ll-miss-it-time your storage unit will be a safe repository for hockey sticks, footballs, uniforms of different sizes, bikes, musical instruments, schoolbooks, hobby and study materials etc.
TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Third-level, that is. How did this happen? Where once you pondered the purchase of cute quilts and cartoon cutlery, you’re now equipping your offspring with duvets, kitchen utensils, furniture, tech and textbooks and everything they need to take their lives closer to self-sufficiency.
Many will choose to study or live away from home during term time. But when term ends, rather than lug everything from their accommodation into your living space, stash it in your storage unit leaving your young adult free to head off backpacking or catch up on their books (as if!). And when they’ve gone back again, use it to store their personal items, freeing up a room for guests, a hobby, or just to keep it neat and tidy until they – and their accumulated dirty washing – are all back home .
SENTIMENTAL OLD YOU
Before you know it – that nest is well and truly flown. But are they ever truly gone? American humourist Erma Bombeck was on to something when she said: “If the nest is truly empty, who owns all this junk?”
There’s much we can pass down, sell or dispose of when our children don’t need them anymore – and we’re glad to do it! There will always be things that we just won’t want to get rid of, however – significant items of clothing, artwork, well-loved books and toys, photographs and other memories. All these items can be safely trusted to our self-storage unit – and often there are temperature controlled self-storage options for more delicate things, with easy self-access using codes and biometrics meaning that we can reconnect with these precious items whenever we feel the need.
And who knows? Maybe that space will be needed all over again when a whole new generation comes along. Kids – who’d have ‘em!
Unlock the freedom of extra space. Get in touch with Storage World today or get a quote online.
