Will preface by saying I'm aware I'm lucky to have my own house and not to have to be dealing with current rental crisis (although mortgage rates are not much fun ATM either). I didn't buy till I was 37 so spent many years at the mercy of unscrupulous landlords.
I live with my two DC in a small back to back terraced house. Bought with ex. All we could afford at the time so much smaller than we would have wanted. Managed to get ex off the mortgage after we split even though I didn't think it would be possible as I don't earn much but mortgage was relatively small and my credit good so all worked out well. My mortgage is relatively low as we're up north.
Have been with DP for 5 years. He's in rented. We both have DC and my house isn't big enough for his to stay at so he has never moved in. The plan has been for him to clear his debts (which he now has) and to save (which he is now doing) and for us to buy somewhere together but I feel like we've now missed that boat given house prices/cost of living etc.
My house has no storage. My youngest is in a tiny box room. Front door opens directly into the lounge which I hate and it's pretty much only the one room downstairs (kitchen is miniscule) We can hear neighbours turning taps on. Kitchen units are a bit wonky.
On the other hand, it is tidy and cosy and warm and I'm always trying to improve it with small DIY jobs etc. Area is good. I have one neighbour who is like a guardian angel to me. So it's not all bad here.
I don't want a hinch house. I prefer older more rustic houses. But I do want a hallway. And a kitchen big enough to have a proper table that we can sit around and have family meetings like in Happy Valley 🤣
I feel like my kids are growing up fast (14 and 8) and I'm failing to provide them with a "proper" home. I worry that DD doesn't have friends round because there's nowhere for them to hang out apart from her bedroom. I convince myself that everyone else on MN lives in a lovely Victorian house with trendy wallpaper and a kitchen island and those big glass doors into the garden and I feel ashamed of my home 😟 I know this is irrational but I can't help it.
I know I'm being unreasonable. How do I make peace with my tiny house? I just feel that the dream of a "forever home" is rapidly moving out of my reach.