House sitting is the new family travel adventure

Families around the world are discovering the benefits of house sitting with TrustedHousesitters as a way to travel, while gaining amazing experiences that would not be possible with a traditional family vacation and are introducing their children to different places and lifestyles. We spoke to 4 families from the USA, Australia and the UK who wanted to share their house sitting experiences and encourage other families to try this new way of enjoying budget travel or simply a different type of vacation, away from the usual resorts.

Family house sitting with Alex, Lisa and their two children

Alex and Lisa, a firefighter and nurse from California, USA have recently been house sitting in Panama with their two young children for six weeks caring for two dogs and a Macaw in an off-grid location.

Why does your family choose to house sit?

"We do it for different travel experiences and to be able to experience cultures on a longer and more personal basis."

How does house sitting fit into family life?

"We feel like we get a lot of quality time together sharing and experiencing the simple things in life. We like our children to see that there are different ways to live and happiness can be found in many various ways."

Why do families make great house sitters?

"Families are good house sitters because they are a team. A family can give attention to several areas at a time. Also, for us as a family, my wife and I want our kids to take pride in caring for someone else's home and animals just as they would want the house sitters at our home to do while we are away."

What would you say to a family thinking of taking up house sitting?

"We have nothing but positive things to say about it. We have met people and experienced things we never would have had the opportunity to do staying in a hotel or resort. We have traveled a good amount with our kids, some being house sitting and some being in hotels and vacation rentals. Our kids' fondest memories are the experiences that came from house sitting."

What advice or top tips would you give to other families thinking of house sitting as a way to travel/vacation?

"From our experiences so far, I recommend a family considering house sitting to go for it. It will take you to areas you might not see otherwise and will provide experiences your family will remember for a long time. For us it is a more realistic and wholesome way to see new places and experience other ways of life."

House sitting with kids: Ruth and her son

Ruth and her 7-year-old son are from Adelaide, Australia, and have just enjoyed an amazing house sit in Fiji. While her son attended the local school, Ruth helped raise funds for the local village and they both made many new friends among their neighbours.

Why does your family choose to house sit?

"It’s a great way to learn about local lifestyles while travelling long-term."

Where have you been house sitting and what has been your child’s/children’s favourite pet they have cared for?

"We've been house sitting Australia and Fiji and my son's favourite pet was an old Collie dog who was 14 years old."

What would you say to a family thinking of taking up house sitting?

"It is a great way to have a break and learn about local life in another place."

Family house sitting: Debra, Stephen and their toddler Ella

Debra and Stephen, who have lived in the UK for over a decade, have enjoyed many family house sitting jobs in the UK with their toddler, Ella, while they decide where they would like to settle down.

Why does your family choose to house sit?

"We are still undecided on where in the world we want to settle down and raise Ella so we house sit as a way of checking out various potential locations for our forever home. Aside from that, we do also occasionally just take a house sit as a holiday. We also use it as a way to earn a little money, as while we are away we rent out our house as a holiday let."

How does house sitting fit into family life?

"At the moment with no school commitments house sitting is a great way for us to travel and see the world. Our daughter also loves all the animals she gets to meet!"

How did you first hear about house sitting?

"It has always been there in the background as a fantasy lifestyle but it wasn't until we needed to find affordable accommodation while on an extended trip to NZ before Ella was born that we researched it properly."

What would you say to a family thinking of taking up house sitting?

"Go for it! Especially if your children are yet to start school. It's a brilliant way to show your children the world."

Family house sitting: Talon and his son

Talon is a single Dad from Colorado, USA, traveling the world slowly with his 11-year-old son. They are currently house sitting in Morocco for a home in an Oasis and will then move on to New Zealand for their next house sitting assignment. You can read more about Talon on his blog, 1Dad1Kid.

Why does your family choose to house sit?

"Mostly, we like to see new places more like a local sees them rather than strictly as a tourist. It has also brought us to places that are more off the beaten path. We also like traveling more slowly, so we can get somewhere, unpack the suitcase for a while, and slow things down a bit more."

What has been your child’s/children’s favourite pet they have cared for?

"At our house sit in Mexico we had a couple of dogs that were incredibly loving. One of them, in particular, loves kids and was extremely enamoured with my son. She would sleep in his room at night."

What would you say to a family thinking of taking up house sitting?

"Do it! It’s such a great experience and a wonderful way to experience other places."

What advice or top tips would you give to other families thinking of house sitting as a way to travel/vacation?

"Don’t get discouraged. For some homeowners having a family in their home is too much, but there are others who see it as a bonus. It may take you a bit more effort to get that first assignment, but it’s worth the effort!"

House sitting clearly is a great way to travel on a budget and look after pets with your kids. We also hear from many families registered with TrustedHousesitters who enjoy house sitting as a way to enjoy a vacation. With thousands of opportunities lasting from a weekend to a couple of weeks, from a beach house in Hawaii to a farmhouse in France - there are so many exciting opportunities to apply for.

How about house sitting a Hawaii beach home with your family next year?

House sitting is also perfect for families during the school holidays, when we know holiday packages are at their most expensive.

So to save money on travel and holidays and to experience a more unique type of vacation while swerving high accommodation costs simply register today and begin your house sitting adventures - keep us posted on your experiences! Families around the world are discovering the benefits of house sitting with TrustedHousesitters as a way to travel, while gaining amazing experiences that would not be possible with a traditional family vacation and are introducing their children to different places and lifestyles.

Read more about house sitting with kids here.