Michelle Lau - Hospitality with Young Children

Opening our home to family, church friends, and strangers has become a normal part of our family life. Over the years we have welcomed people in different seasons of need, and while hospitality takes sacrifice, we have found it far more ordinary and life-giving than people expect.

One of the biggest surprises was how easy the day-to-day felt. My husband, who is introverted, was nervous at first. He worried it would feel like hosting all the time, but now he knows it feels more like having extended family in the house. He actually ends up with more downtime because the kids and I have someone else to talk with.

People often ask how sharing our home with others has affected our young children. I believe it has genuinely enriched them. We set clear boundaries and establish shared values with each person who moves in, and we encourage housemates to spend time with our kids in the common areas. Our children have become adaptable, comfortable with adults, and naturally welcoming. Our daughter is especially empathetic, and both kids love sharing their possessions with others. At school or the playground, they are often the first to approach new kids because hospitality feels normal to them.

We have also learned to be intentional about power dynamics so our housemates never feel pressured to please us simply because we own the home. That means offering grace, letting go of expectations, and navigating differences such as parenting styles when they arise. Sharing space has made us more aware of our daily choices, including our rhythms, the things we buy, and what we watch, while freeing us from the pressure to look perfect. Our housemates see our messy days and our real parenting moments, and relationship grows from that honesty.

Each person who has lived with us has blessed us in their own way, whether through sharing chores, hemming clothes, or offering to babysit. We do not always ask for rent right away. Short-term guests or those in crisis are simply offered the space. For longer-term housemates, we invite them to contribute in a way that is sustainable for them to help cover household costs and keep things balanced. Sharing meals together, even once a week or once a month, has been one of our favourite ways to build connection.

If someone feels hesitant about sharing their home with others because they have children, I understand. Our experience has been that we have gained far more than we have given up. Opening our home has strengthened our family and helped us live out our values in a simple, everyday way.