Can We House and Pet Sit as a Family?

When we first discovered house sitting, I remember frantically searching online for an answer to this exact question. With our young daughter in tow and dreams of travelling without blowing our budget on hotels, house sitting seemed like the perfect solution. But I kept seeing listings that looked like they would only be suitbale for singles or couples, and my heart sank.

Fast-forward three years, and we’ve now completed over 20 house sits across three countries as a family unit. So, can you house and pet sit as a family? The short answer is absolutely yes – but there are some realities you should know about.

The Family “Disadvantage” (And Why It’s Often a Myth)

I won’t sugarcoat it – some homeowners specifically prefer solo sitters or couples without children. Their reasons vary:

• Concerns about noise or disruption to neighbours
• Worry that children might damage property
• Fear that parents will be too busy with kids to focus on pets
• Assumptions about reliability or professionalism

But here’s what I’ve discovered: these concerns are largely based on misconceptions. In fact, families often make exceptional house sitters for reasons many homeowners haven’t considered.

After our fifth house sit, a homeowner in Australia told us something that stuck with me. “I was nervous about having a child in my home,” she admitted, “but your family provided something no solo sitter could – someone was always here with my anxious dog, and your daughter gave him more attention and playtime than I do!”

The Real Advantages of Family House Sitting

After doing this for years, I’ve seen firsthand the unique benefits we bring as a family:

1. Always someone home – With two adults and a child, we rarely all need to be out at once. This means pets get more companionship and homes have better security.
2. Built-in entertainment for pets – Many animals, especially dogs, absolutely love the gentle energy and play that children provide. My daughter has a special way with anxious animals that has amazed many pet owners.
3. Extra pairs of hands – More people means more help with pet care, home maintenance, and garden upkeep. Even young children can help with age-appropriate tasks.
4. Stable routine – Families, especially those with younger children, tend to maintain more regular schedules. This consistency is actually perfect for pets who thrive on routine.
5. Lower party risk – Let’s be honest – families with kids are far less likely to host wild parties or disrupt the neighbourhood!

One homeowner in Canada specifically requested a family for her second house sit after having a solo sitter. “The family was so much more engaged with my home and pets,” she told me. “They treated everything with such care and made my cats feel loved.”

Finding Family-Friendly House Sits

While not every house sit works for families, plenty do. Here’s how we’ve successfully found family-friendly opportunities:

Be Strategic With Platforms

Some house sitting platforms are more family-friendly than others. We’ve had the most success with HouseCarers. Create detailed family profiles that highlight your strengths rather than apologising for having children.

Look for These Clues in Listings

• Homes with family-friendly features (fenced yards, playrooms, nearby parks)
• Homeowners who mention grandchildren or family visits
• Properties in residential neighbourhoods rather than apartments with thin walls
• Pets noted as “good with children” or “high energy”
• Longer-term sits (homeowners for these are often more flexible)

Proactive Communication

When we apply for sits, we address potential concerns upfront, rather than hoping no one notices we have a child. I highlight our daughter’s experience with animals, our family’s cleanliness, and our proven track record.

A message I sent that secured us an “unlikely” house sit in Australia:

“While I notice you haven’t specifically mentioned children in your listing, I wanted to share that our 6-year-old daughter has grown up around animals and has been part of our house sitting team for 15 sits now. She’s gentle with cats, knows to give anxious dogs space, and understands boundaries about other people’s belongings. We maintain her normal routine during sits, which actually provides great stability for pets too!”

Making It Work: Practical Tips

Once you’ve secured a family house sit, set yourself up for success:

1. Pre-arrival preparation – Talk with your kids before each sit about the specific rules for that home and pets. We create a simple “house rules” chart with pictures for younger children.
2. Designated spaces – Upon arrival, establish kid-friendly zones where children can play freely, and protected areas where fragile items or pet items remain undisturbed.
3. Pet introduction protocol – Teach children proper introduction techniques for new animals. We always let pets approach kids first and supervise all early interactions.
4. Maintain some normalcy – Bring a few familiar toys or books to help your children feel at home while respecting the space.
5. Overcommunicate with homeowners – Send regular updates with photos showing how well their pets are adjusting to your family.

We once turned a skeptical homeowner into a family sitting advocate after sending daily pictures of her cat curled up with our daughter during story time. She now exclusively requests families!

When to Say No

Not every sit works for every family. We’ve learned to decline opportunities that don’t align with our family’s needs:

• Homes with delicate antiques and minimal child-friendly spaces
• Pets with known aggression or anxiety issues around children
• Locations without outdoor spaces or child-friendly amenities nearby
• Sits requiring late-night pet care that would disrupt our daughter’s sleep

It’s always better to decline a sit than to force a poor fit – your family’s comfort and the pets’ wellbeing both matter.

Building Your Family’s Reputation

The key to long-term success is building a stellar reputation as family house sitters. After each sit:

• Leave the home spotlessly clean (often cleaner than solo sitters!)
• Ask for detailed reviews mentioning your family dynamic
• Create a photo book of your family’s experience to share in future applications
• Keep in touch with homeowners for potential repeat sits

After our first year, we had enough positive reviews specifically mentioning how well our daughter did with pets that the “family disadvantage” essentially disappeared.

The Reality Check

I don’t want to paint an unrealistically rosy picture. We still get rejected for some sits specifically because we have a child. That’s just reality. But for every “no,” we’ve found multiple “yes” responses from homeowners who see the unique benefits we bring.

Our success rate has grown from about 1 in 8 applications to nearly 1 in 3 – and we’ve built relationships with repeat homeowners who specifically request our family for their pets.

Is Family House Sitting Right for You?

If you’re considering this lifestyle with your family, ask yourselves:

• Are your children reasonably comfortable around different animals?
• Can they respect boundaries about others’ belongings?
• Are you willing to prioritise pet care alongside family activities?
• Can you maintain some consistency in routine while travelling?
• Are you able to handle rejection and keep applying?

If you answered yes, then family house sitting could be an amazing way to travel, save money, and create unforgettable experiences together.

My daughter has now fed kangaroos in Australia, practiced French with neighbours in Canada, and learned about ocean conservation from a marine biologist’s home in New Zealand – all while helping care for beloved pets whose owners were grateful for our family’s presence.

Don’t let the “no families” listings discourage you. For the right homes and pets, families aren’t just acceptable house sitters – we’re often the preferred choice.

Have you tried house sitting with your family? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments!