Is Cohousing Good for Kids?

By Susan Finch
Web Exculsive - March 24, 2009

Daniel Greenberg, PhD, holds a degree in child psychology and wrote a dissertation about parenting and intentional communities for the University of Minnesota. His research suggests that cohousing residents can offer their children a community lifestyle that is difficult, if not impossible, to replicate in today's traditional setting. With the help of group meals and communal chores, parents can also free up more of their time to spend with their children. Greenberg also notes that kids naturally crave a sense of belonging and can utilize the support of cohousing to develop their identity.

Finding a Cohousing Community

If you're curious about locating a cohousing community in your area, start by visiting www.cohousing.org. The website has detailed information on which states and cities offer cohousing with links and contact information for specific communities. You'll also find cohousing condos, homes, and townhouses for sale, along with an idea of what each community is all about and their goals. According to the Sunward Cohousing website near Ann Arbor, Michigan, their community strives for a common goal "where lives are simplified, the earth is respected, diversity is welcomed, children play together in safety, and living in community with neighbors comes naturally."

Most cohousing communities require that you visit their property and participate in group dinners or a monthly meeting to determine if their lifestyle is the right fit for you. If a rental is available, you may want to try out the community before making a permanent decision. Make an effort to develop a handful of relationships within the community and ask questions about how issues are resolved, how much participation is expected, and how privacy and boundaries are valued and respected. It's also a good idea to express any of your own concerns or needs with the community before packing up the kids and moving in.

Article: Cohousing: It Takes a Village to Raise a Child