Sleeping arrangements

[tigerlillyd02]

Myself and my partner are looking to move in together in the near future. We have 3 children beween us - a girl aged 13, a girl aged 5 and a boy aged 3. There are 3 bedrooms in the home so 2 for the children.

The 13 year old is adamant she wants her own space. However, we're not sure it's a good idea to put the younger 2, with being the opposite sex, together.

I'd be interested in others views and how you'd manage the situation, what you think would work.

Thank you in advance.

[NothingsLeft]

I would give the 13 year old her own room. The little ones can share, they are only small and close in age.

[Flibbertyjibbet]

Are the two girls sisters? If not and the 13 year old has always been used to having her own room, then I'd give her a room and let the little ones share,especially if they are siblings. Will they all be with you all the time or will some be there part time only as this would make a difference in the arrangements for me.

I could not imagine being a teenager and sharing with a 5 year old, sorry.

[tigerlillyd02]

The 2 girls are sisters, the boy is not biologically related.

It makes more sense to put the 2 younger ones together. We've been unsure as to whether this is acceptable in society now and at what age would you stop such an arrangement - when are boy and girl seen as 'too old' to share - when they reach puberty or before? Does the fact they're not biologically related have any impact? Are there any precautions we should take?

Sorry for all the questions - it seemed a straight forward decision to begin with in that we'd put the 2 girls together. But now it doesn't seem quite right that a 13 year old would want peppa pig all over her room and a 5 year old being into all her 'stuff'. We would have to move the 2 younger ones to the larger bedroom which the 13 year old currently has, so that there would be the space for extra clothes etc. I'm sure this isn't going to go down well either!

[tigerlillyd02]

Sorry, I didn't answer all questions. Yes, they will more or less be there all the time. The 2 girls will go to their dads 2 nights a week but the boy is being raised by one parent currently so will be there every night.

[LandaMc]

I'd suggest put the younger 2 together but separate them by the time the boy is 9 / the girl 12.

[savoirfaire]

Personally I don't think there's any issue with children of opposite sex sharing until they're 10 or so, unless they really don't get on (in which case same would be true if they're the same sex). I think asking a 13 yo to share with a 5yo would be pretty tough going for everyone.

My DS and DD share - they don't have to - we have a spare room - but I think it is good for their relationship and I like the fact that all toys are shared as a result as well. They are nearly 4 and 1.5, so only wee, but if they continue to be happy with the arrangement then I would intend to keep them like this for at least the next 4-5 years. They absolutely adore sharing and the older one would be well upset if we moved them apart. I know quite a few people who have children of opposite sex sharing.

[Clargo55]

Yes I would put the two youngest in the bigger of the two bedrooms and try to split the room into separate sides for them. You could use a screen from ikea or put a curtain up across the middle of the room. Then personalise their sides with different colours and a personal picture up on their wall.

[Turniptwirl]

Give the teenager her own room, the little ones can share. I would say til 7 and 9 or so but totally depends on the kids. By then the older girl may well be at uni or have moved out or you may all have m

[Turniptwirl]

Give the teenager her own room, the little ones can share. I would say til 7 and 9 or so but totally depends on the kids. By then the older girl may well be at uni or have moved out or you may all have moved house anyway

[forevergreek]

13 year old in one

2 and 5 year old in another

In 5 years time eldest will be 18 and maybe at uni/ own flat etc