These Parents Were Just Shamed For Choosing To Raise Their Children In A Small Home

Trine Jensen-Burke

To many of us, certainly here in Ireland, a family home usually means a house and a back-garden.

But – as with most things in life – it really isn’t size that matters when it comes to creating a happy, safe and perfectly functional home to raise a family in. All over the world, Paris, New York, Barcelona, Bangkok, Stockholm, children are raised in apartments – and have perfectly happy and lovely childhoods despite not having an upstairs or a over-sized trampoline in the garden.

But not everyone feels like this is the case, clearly, as these American parents found out in the harshest way possible.

Mike and Kelly Brüning were recently shocked when they received an anonymous letter in the post criticising the size of their home, claiming it’s too ‘tiny’ for them to raise their two children.

The couple, who have two little boys, aged two and four, have lived in their two-bedroom San Diego property for nine years, meaning they are clearly very happy where they are.

Also, their petite family home is just steps from the beach and, apparently, that’s part of the problem to the anonymous letter writer.

“It’s important that you know that you guys are the most selfish parents around,” the letter reads.

“Because you like the beach, your boys are trapped in a tiny, one bedroom upstairs apartment.”

“Kids need yard to play in. A swing set, or trike to ride when they want to, not just when it’s convenient for you.”

“I don’t know this buy I doubt that either of you had to grow up under these conditions.”

And then, to really hammer his or her point home, the anonymous writer then signed off the post with, “Shame on you.”

When Kelly shared the letter on her Facebook page it quickly went viral, with commenters assuring the couple that as long as their children are safe and loved, it does not matter in the slightest what size their home is.

As cities in Ireland continue to grow in population, the reality is that more and more families will have to opt for apartment living on our shores too if they want to stay living close to work and other amenities.

What do YOU think, though, mamas? Do children need a garden and an upstairs to have a safe and happy childhood? Are YOU raising you children in an apartment? Or do you feel like children need a house to live in? Let us know in the comments or tweet us at @Herfamilydotie