A third of parents have admitted that their child’s objection has stopped them from moving in the past.
New research from Zoopla found that 32 per cent of parents made the admission, which included deciding not to put in an offer following a child’s objection or even pulling out of a purchase altogether.
The research was carried out among parents with children aged between six and 12 years old.
A total of 32 per cent of parents said their child’s objection stopped them moving home
A total of 87 per cent say they would ‘consult’ their children about moving home, with 20 per cent going as far as saying they would ‘do what their children want and let them decide’.
More than one in ten – at 11 per cent – decided not to put in an offer because their children said not to, and 8 per cent have even pulled out of a purchase after their children put their foot down.
However, parents could be overthinking it, as accompanying research among children themselves who have moved home – and remember doing so – shows that more than three quarters – at 77 per cent – say they preferred their new home.
In many cases, – 47 per cent – parents say their children reacted positively overall to moving and 43 per cent said they reacted ‘equally positive in some ways and negative in others’.
Among those whose children acted in any negative way, 37 per cent said their children were worried about changing schools, 34 per cent said they were worried about moving away from friends, and a third – at 33 per cent – said the conversation resulted in tears.
While 29 per cent of parents say they thought their children would be ‘worried’ and 17 per cent thought they would be ‘sad’ – when they were told, children were most likely to be ‘excited’ at 46 per cent, or ‘happy’ at 45 per cent, according to the survey.
Almost nine in ten parents claimed that they would ‘consult’ their children about moving home
And when they actually moved, 58 per cent of children said they ‘loved the new home’ and 46 per cent said they ‘loved their new bedroom’.
Emma Seaton, director of buying agency Prime Purchase, says: ‘Parents usually bring children on viewings and I am always fascinated by how much they have an opinion. Mostly, they love viewing property as generally speaking they are upsizing.
‘Children love a swimming pool and anything that makes the property exciting. Size of bedrooms is really important to children, even though they usually sleep in a single bed.
Parents have called after a viewing and said ‘we will not go for that house because little Florence didn’t like it’
‘Parents have called after a viewing and said: ‘we will not go for that house because little Florence didn’t like it’, even though Florence is only five years old.
‘However, this can also be a perfect excuse for not going for a house.
‘We see a lot of people buying houses for their children’s lifestyle. They want to have the house that everyone wants to come back to, as close as possible to the school so they control the playdates.
‘Thirty years ago houses tended to be bought because they were close to where people worked and their wider family. Now they are driven by the small family of four or five…’
Consulting children – whether or not they actually end up having input into the decision – could be helpful in preparing children for a move.
And children overwhelmingly agree, with 96 per cent saying parents should speak to them about it.
In total, 57 per cent say they should ‘take their thoughts into consideration’ and 28 per cent said the parents should ‘do what the kids want’.
When they actually moved, 58 per cent of children said they ‘loved the new home’ and 46 per cent said they ‘loved their new bedroom’
Daniel Copley, of Zoopla, said: ‘Most parents know that routine is important for young children and change can be unsettling – especially something as significant as moving home.
‘However, our research shows that many parents could be worrying unnecessarily about moving house – as while many children may get upset about the idea at first, for most, it is a positive and beneficial experience when it actually happens.
‘Our research shows that come moving day, children are overwhelmingly excited about the prospect of a new home, and the new possibilities for their bedrooms, new friends and new areas to explore.
‘The key for parents is to get kids’ involved in the moving process from the beginning, to get them excited about all of the possibilities a new home can bring them.’
