AIBU to think that it's ok to raise a toddler in a one bedroom flat?

[Bumpandkind]

In London (in my experience) it's not that unusual that we're raising our Ds now 2 in a one bedroom flat. I know others that are doing it and whilst it's not our ideal it's what we can afford in an area that's ideal for both our jobs. I know many children spend some parts of the night in their parents rooms and actually, due to his bed being in there already he rarely gets into our bed anymore. I'm just asking as in-laws are a bit odd about it. It's going to have to change soon but for now it works for us.

[HermioneJeanGranger]

I think at a young age it's fine, but not really ideal once he gets to school age and wants friends over etc.

[x2boys]

I had a two bed flat and it was the lack of storage that bothered me but if you don't mind that yanbu.

[scarlets]

It's fine at his age.

[KittyandTeal]

We had a 3 bedrooms house (not in London) when dd1 was 2. 2 of the bedrooms didn't get used at all

What I'm trying to say is often, even when you do have the room, toddlers end up in your bed room. It's fine!

[notquitehuman]

It's fine. People around the world raise their children in far more difficult circumstances. We lived in a one bed flat til DS was 18 months and it doesn't seem to have caused him any harm! I'm sure in a couple of years it'll be inconvenient, but ignore the comments for now.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

Are the ILs going to sub your rent? That's nice of them.

[Bumpandkind]

Ooh, good suggestion Mrs T! They live in a very rural part of the country and (quite rightly) can't understand the ludicrous rents in London. For what we're paying we could rent a 4 bed house there but jobs....

[StarlingMurmuration]

There's someone on MN with a four and a five year old in a one bed flat, and they seem to manage fine.

[glamorousgrandmother]

I lived in a 1 bed flat until my daughter was 4. When she was about 3 I got a fold out bed in the sitting room for me, mainly so there was room in the bedroom for her toys etc.

[Bumpandkind]

Starling and Glamourous, did you ever get any negative comments from people?

[JellyTotCat]

It's absolutely fine at that age.

[Cressandra]

Of course it's fine.

There might come a time in the future when you need to start sleeping in the living room, is all. But he's only 2 and it's working for you all, so I don't see the problem.

[trilbydoll]

You presumably just have to be strict about toys, all baby / toddler toys seem to be giant plastic things! Also we have enough books and clothes to open shops. Other than storage, dd's bedroom serves very little purpose

[Cachareltastic]

Honestly I would be happy to have my DD in my room (aged 3) but as others have said its the storage space that may become an issue.

[tomatodizzy]

Normal for London. London is great with small children. After they grow London starts to show it's cracks, space being one of them.

[TheAnswerIsYes]

My DS is 4.5yo and despite us having a 3 bed house he still sleeps in a bed in our room. My In Laws comment but they're barmy so I don't listen to them.

[Bumpandkind]

Yup storage is a big issue. Lucky lour bedroom is spacious, allowing our double bed, his bed and changing table, wardrobe and chests of draws without feeling cramped but the playroom (formerly known as the living room) is full of plastic fantastic!

[eastwest]

It's fine while he is a toddler. It may become more difficult when he is a school age child, then a teenager. BUt as has been said, a lot of people are living with the same situation.

[PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange]

If this is the situation you are in then not a lot can be done about it.

In may not be ideal long but you all have a roof over your heads. That's the most important thing.

[whois]

Totally find as a toddler. Probably less fine once they are at school but the exact tipping point will be different for different people.

[LotsOfShoes]

I grew up in a one-bed flat, we only moved when I was 11/12. My parents slept on the pull-out couch and I slept in the bedroom so I could have my own room and study space. It was completely fine.

[StarlingMurmuration]

Sorry, it's not me with the two kids in the one bed - I was just mentioning hat there is someone who has mentioned it on past threads about kids sharing with siblings, and she is very happy with the set up. We live out in the country so don't have London prices to contend with.

[Artandco]

We live in a one bed flat with two school age children. Have since before they were born. It's fine. We have no current plans to move.
Bedroom is large enough for our large bed and a set of bunkbeds. Plus floor space to play in. It's probably the size of most 2 bedrooms put together as one tbh. Living room/ dining/ kitchen is all open plan.

[Artandco]

Oh and ds1 had his first sleepover last Friday! Just him and two friends ( plenty even in a mansion in my opinion). They all slept on the Sofabed in the living room. Went well, and they want come back apparently.
Ds2 just liked that he was allowed to sleep on the top bunk.

[SilverMachine]

DH and I lived in a one bed flat with 2 DC until my eldest was six. It was fine. We slept on a sofa bed in the lounge and the DC shared the bedroom. Our upstairs neighbour also had a one bed flat with two teens. Once we moved to a bigger place we found ourselves all congregating in one room as we weren't used to be so far apart