"We base our sense of personal worth on what we can offer our kids," says Geetanjali Bansali, clinical psychologist and family therapist. "They are our most important ambassadors to the world at large, which is why we strive to provide them with every possible good thing - good clothes, the latest and largest toys, a good school, and so on. Providing them with the best possible home is therefore based on both selfish and selfless motives - selfish because we want them to be known as the kids of balanced, providing people, selfless because we love them and we want them to know it."
Whether a married couple has children or not while purchasing a home, or the children are still in the 'planning' stage, they should be a major point of reference. Here are some points we could take into account while choosing a residence:
Are there good schools in the vicinity?
There is no doubt about the fact that access to the best possible school is of primary importance. A housing project may offer every desirable facility - but it is seriously lacking if it does not have at least two reputable schools within easy reach.
The more progressive townships and projects have schools within the campus. The best offer the unique 'walk-to-school' facility, with all schools and related establishments within walking distance.
Is suitable and timely transport available?
This directly pertains to the problem of getting children to and from school conveniently. Many upper-grade schools now offer special transport facilities of their own, but this is not always the case. In other words, the project must be conveniently located at major public transport points. Inquire about schedules and regularity, and look for emergency backup measures such as autorickshaw stands.
Does the project feature children-oriented facilities?
Open the property brochure of any reputed builder's project - you will find points such as 'Fully Equipped Children's Park/Playground' mentioned prominently. Obviously, the Children Factor in property purchase is not a secret. Other things to look for and inquire about are nursery/crèche, babysitting and daycare facilities, a garden for family-oriented activities and the availability of facilities for a child's cultural development.
Is the clubhouse child-friendly?
If you thought that the project's clubhouse is only for adult entertainment and relaxation, think again. A clubhouse is and should be a boon to children - therefore, look for facilities like table tennis and badminton courts, a library, indoor games, regularly scheduled fun activities, etc.
Is the swimming pool safe for children?
The subject of children's safety in and around swimming pools is a vital one. Most townships and upper-crust housing projects feature swimming pools these days. This is definitely a family facility, and keeps in mind that children are fascinated with the idea of having access to a swimming pool.
Keep in mind, however, that it can also be a source of danger to your kids if the project does not offer the services of a lifeguard or pool attendant. You cannot expect to be there to supervise your children every time they want to use the pool. The poolside should also be equipped with non-slip tiles.
Does the project feature child-friendly technology?
One need not emphasize the importance of electricity backup in a home with kids. Children scare easily, and are inherently accident-prone. Sudden and prolonged power-cuts without generator backup can be a source of real trauma and even tragedy. However, this is not the only technical consideration while selecting a home these days.
Internet Connectivity - The Internet has become a universal education and entertainment tool. It was once only a requirement for 'cyber' families - however, these days children are Internet-savvy from pretty young ages. This is why inbuilt Internet connectivity has become such a rage amongst home seekers today. Aware of this, a number of projects now offer such a feature as part of the overall package.
Surveillance/Alert/Alarm Features - In a progressive residential project, home automation takes children and elderly people into special consideration. Intricate, high-tech security networks allow homeowners to watch over them at the touch of a switch or the pressing of a button, from any part of the house or even outside. Special alert features increase the safety/damage control factor. Advanced security and surveillance devices, both in-house and for the project as a whole, reduce the risk of harm to the family's kids. Where such features are available and affordable, they should be exploited.
How safe are the home's interior specifications?
Judging whether a home's internal specifications are conducive to a child's safety is important. The evaluation should be left to a mother or another concerned female representative of the family. Here is a checklist of features to watch for:
Aluminum sliding windows with grills
Kid-proof electrical outlets
Anti-skid bathroom tiles
Drinking water purification unit (such as Aqua Guard)
Is there a hospital with emergency room/pediatric unit nearby?
Accidents do happen - poisoning, choking, drowning, fractures and bruises, electrocution... children can get into a lot of trouble while exploring the world around them. There are many medical emergencies than can only be handled at a well-equipped hospital. Most property brochures make a point of mentioning the project's distance from the nearest hospital.
How safe and supportive is the neighborhood?
One should definitely keep one's child's social needs in mind while selecting a residence. If nothing else, a reputable location and project will offer a social environment suitable to our children (good neighbors) as well as a crime-free zone.
It is unlikely that you will find every above-mentioned feature in a single residence. Awareness of your child's special requirements in housing projects is still an emerging area. Many projects do, however, offer a lot of them. The point is that our homes can be highly supportive to our children if their needs are taken into consideration.
0 comments:
Post a Comment