How to fairly split bedrooms

[LucyLastik]

We live in a2 bed flat, we being me, DH, DD1 (13), DS (8) and DD2 (6).

DH and I have decided to decamp to the living room but now we need advice on how to fairly allocate bedrooms. At the moment all DC are sharing a small room.

DD1 thinks she should have her own room because she is a teenager and has just started her periods so needs the privacy of her own room. I agree with her to a certain extent.

We are on various home exchange websites but so far, nothing has come up. If we were to exchange, we would only be entitled to a 3 bed so the DDs would have to share because technically DD1 and DS can't share because of DD1 age.

So, the options are:
Move all 3DC into the bigger bedroom and DH and I have the smaller one;

DD1 has her own room and DS and DD2 share (as they are doing anyway);

DS has his own room and the DDs share as that is what will have to happen in the (unlikely) event we get an exchange.

I'm leaning towards DD1 having her own space and tbh, more space for all of them is the reason for the shift around but if we do exchange, there will be WW3 when she realises that she will have to go back to sharing with her younger sister.

What would you do? What do you think would be the fairest solution?

[Chasingsquirrels]

Why would dd's have to share if you get an exchange?
I understand different sex children not sharing determining number of bedrooms allocations - but they don't come in and check how you are living! Plus ds & dd2 could continue to share anyway as younger.

I'd probably tend to all 3 in the larger room so you & DH get your own space not just the family space.

Otherwise, dd1 in own room & ds & dd2 sharing. There is probably much more of a needs gap between dd1 & ds than ds & dd2.

[AuntiePenguin]

DD1 should have her own room while you can offer her that, if you get an exchange and she'd need to share with DD2 again then deal with that issue then.

[LucyLastik]

Thank you for your advice. Will continue to discuss with DH so we find a workable solution for everyone

[PinkFluffiUnicorn]

In my area, the 2 younger kids would be required to share, if you were to get a 3 bed house, if you can cope with the living room as your room, I would, and maybe bring the kids into your conversation? Letting the older girl know that it can't always be her room? Good luck

[Afreshstartplease]

I'd put the two girls together

[JoJoSM2]

The teenager should have her own room with the two younger ones sharing.

[tangleweed]

I'd have the younger two sharing and the older dd having her own space & even if you swap to a larger flat I'd still do that - older dd might leave home while the younger two are still fine together so I wouldn't even worry about it yet.

[Kiroro]

Teen girl in the small bedroom.

The 6 and 8 year old in the big bedroom with nice cabin beds or similar so they have their own space.

You and DH in the living room with your wardrobes in the big bedroom still.

Tell teen girl that in a couple of years when her sister is older she will have to share with her (in the big bedroom) and the room allocations are not fixed for ever.

[NapQueen]

I never understand the "she has periods" argument for own space. Im pretty sure most girls/women change their sanpro in the bathroom. If she doesnt she can start.

[AllTheLight]

I'd have the two younger ones sharing.

[LucyLastik]

Nap queen I wasn't using it as an excuse. She's only had one and is anxious about leaking in bed and her siblings catching sight of it. She's very open about this stuff with DH and I but she is genuinely worried about what her siblings will think/say.

[EineKleine]

Teenager in the single room for now, swap to girls together when DS is 10 or so.

Not sure I buy the periods argument, but maybe that's an ex-boarding thing.