February 14th, 2023 | About Us

How My Kids Have Made Me a Better Realtor … and Just Better Overall

Kids – kids are a funny subject, aren’t they?  In a stand-up I recently watched, the comedian commented on how “the only people who ever seem overjoyed for you” when you announce “we’re having a baby!” are your friends … with babies/small kids!  So very true. 

And you want to know why?  Because misery loves company. 

Relax, we’re joking!  Sort of. 

Before having kids, we weren’t the type that were too overjoyed or underwhelmed about someone announcing that they’re having kids. Today, I’d say we’re pretty well the same.  Don’t get us wrong, we’re certainly happy for those who choose to have kids and are able to do so … while at the same time, respecting the fact that it’s not for everyone and for some it’s not a choice.  Ultimately, the decision to have kids is a personal one!

But, if you asked us our honest opinion, here’s what we’d share …

Kids are a TON of work, for sure!  In a blink they change your life – like a full 180.  The life you once led is simply no longer yours.  From sleepless nights to red eyed mornings and everything in between – it’s not any one particular task that is hard … rather, it’s the accumulation of many single tasks, and routines, that simply never stop … it’s like being on a treadmill at a lower speed, it’s not terribly hard at the onset, right?  Now try walking on it for 5 years straight … so … much … fun! 

That’s the hard stuff – but we’re just being real … it isn’t easy … but nothing that’s truly worth doing ever is, right?

But, we’d imagine that most of this doesn’t come as a surprise … for anyone … with or without kids.

With that said, here’s the difference, in our experience (outside of the initial “omg, you’re having a baby!!” reaction), it’s far more likely that people talk about/share all the negatives … how tired they are, how little time they have, how much it all costs and the list goes on!

But, if you choose to have kids, there’s bound to be some good too, right?  1000%!!!

Kids are amazing!  For every second you put in, every ounce of energy you expend, if you are truly engaged and present, what you get back is simply priceless (Mastercard!).  It really is the ultimate ROI example.

It’s insane, watching these little things turn into humans … and so quickly too!  Ella was just born, literally < 17 months ago, she’s already started full-time daycare … she communicates effectively, walks, feeds herself, harasses Roxie (our 12 year old blind mini-schnauzer) and is so very cheeky at times.  Benji’s 4.5, he’s a full-blown human, with strong opinions and an incredibly logical thinker with a love for the arts and daily negotiation … about anything/everything … especially with Amir … Amir loses 99% of the time!

You’d think that the progression from Amir and Aleks, the “single(ish)”, young, fun-loving professionals … who once had a life … to the now Parents of 2 beautiful kids would somehow bind or restrict them, perhaps making it more difficult to manage their personal lives or their work/careers.  You’d be wrong!  We certainly were.

Benji and Ella have had a profoundly positive impact on us.  With all the hardship and responsibility came a realignment of priorities and goals.  The kids were instrumental in allowing us to become highly efficient in how we manage our time.  They allowed us to relate to our clients in a completely new manner – truly empathizing with their circumstances.  Whether working with young couples looking to marry/start a Family or Move-Up Buyers who have outgrown their existing homes and in desperate need for more space/sanity or for Families looking to live together with Grandparents in a supplementary suite … our kids provided us with a platform to truly be able to relate to our clients’ circumstances.  We don’t try to understand – we are living parallel lives!  We are them and they are us … we now understand our clients’ needs on a much deeper level – all thanks to our kids!! 

Beyond our careers, the kids just make us better humans in general.  Seeing the world through their eyes, without bias and with a constant hunger to learn and grow … it’s contagious … it makes us want to improve ourselves and to set the best example we can. 

Are there rough patches?  Sure!  But in the end, when Benji and Ella eventually ask “how or why did you do this or that” … we’ll say, because, you left us with no other choice … you helped us pave our paths and made us better at every turn … we love you … now, it’s time you move out so that Mommy & Daddy can turn your rooms into their own private oasis’ … bye!! 🙂