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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To expect 15 year old DD to share a room with the family on holiday?

316 replies

NotTonightDeidre · 23/07/2026 19:07

It's actually is DH being unreasonable. He thinks DD (15) should be happy to share a room with us all (me, him, DD2).

She doesn't want to share a room with us (she will share with me & sister, not her dad).

I can see where she's coming from but DH doesn't see her p.o.v.

OP posts:
HappyKatieA · 23/07/2026 20:01

Can you get adjoining rooms (two, with a door that opens between them)?
That’s what we did when we felt that our boys were getting older and needed privacy more. It worked well as we were at hand, all had our privacy and we knew they weren’t sneaking out! 🤣
mire expensive of course, but we had slightly less ‘luxury’ at the price of privacy.

OhBettyCalmDown · 23/07/2026 20:00

I don’t think this is as clear cut as everyone is making out. Yes some families will share happily but others won’t feel comfortable. I think the key thing here is your DD doesn’t want to. I’d look at alternative accommodation where possible. A 2 bed apartment or 1 bed with a sofa in the lounge if two separate rooms aren’t feasible.

NameChangeScot · 23/07/2026 20:00

She is not being unreasonable. We don't share rooms with the DC on holiday since they were around 10, nobody sleeps well all in together, it's too cramped, privacy for teens. They do sometimes have to share with each other though, both boys.

Overthehillmum63 · 23/07/2026 20:00

WallaceinAnderland · 23/07/2026 19:10

What's her actual objection? Everyone can change in the bathroom for privacy. Is there some other reason she can't share?

You are being pedantic. She is 15, of course she doesn’t want to share with her dad.

Aluna · 23/07/2026 19:58

Girls in one room you and DH in another. Why would you want to share with your kids on holiday anyway?

pasanda · 23/07/2026 19:57

Recently returned from Canada. 10 days in an RV with me,dh and twin girls who are 18yo
10 more days in hotels where we all shared a room with two queen sized beds in

no problems at all

godmum56 · 23/07/2026 19:57

redskyAtNigh · 23/07/2026 19:29

I don't think she should be forced to share (whether it's reasonable or not).

So you/she need to decide whether this means you have to go on an alternative holiday where room sharing is not required or whether she can't come at all.

personally I would look at the alternative holiday. It's not a holiday if one person is unhappy about sleeping arrangements. And I do think teens need their own space and not 4 of you in a room (which is not my idea of a holiday).

This. At your daughter's age her father does not get the final say.

Rewis · 23/07/2026 19:56

I undertand wanting your own room. I would as well, just from wanting my own room point of view. I don't see the issue with sharing and I would expect to share unless the room price had a minimal difference.

Coralsunset · 23/07/2026 19:55

Can you book an apartment or apart hotel? Then the DC can be in the bedroom and you and DH (presumably staying up later) can have sofabed in lounge/late night drinking on the balcony?

That is what we always did. Much better than all cramming into a hotel room.

Shatenoeuf · 23/07/2026 19:53

I wouldnt expect a teenager to share a room on holiday with parents for more than an odd night. They like to have somewhere to escape to.

Shatenoeuf · 23/07/2026 19:51

Is it a proper full sized bed? We stay in family rooms in premier inn for an odd night but the DC are little. The beds are often quite small camp beds and would be quite crap for an adult.

Tulipsriver · 23/07/2026 19:51

I think I'd be concerned if my 15 year old was genuinely concerned about sharing with her dad (as opposed to just wanting a fancying a room of her own).

Surely you'd all just change in the bathroom? Does he generally respect her privacy and behave appropriately around her? I'm not just talking about creepy behaviour, things like making jokes at her expense or doing things to embarrass her could make her uncomfortable sleeping in the same room too.

Jellyslothbridge · 23/07/2026 19:49

If people don't want to share it limits your holiday options. Both how often and the sorts of holidays you can have. We still all occasionally share (large tent in wales, futons on the floor in Japan) but it will only be a couple of nights and other nights we may all have our own rooms with ensuite which you really appreciate.
It very much depends on family dynamic and what you have previously done.

Ikeatears · 23/07/2026 19:48

We’re on the last day of 9 days away, me, dh and 15yo ds. We’ve just been respectful of each other’s space and changing arrangements. Didn’t even consider getting him (or me) a separate room

canklesmctacotits · 23/07/2026 19:48

You and DH share a room, your Dads share a room surely?

BlueMum16 · 23/07/2026 19:46

I don't see the issue.

My DD and DS share. They are late teens.

Other option is a two bed apartment and you and DD share and youngest and DH share?

CinderellaGotOld · 23/07/2026 19:44

Does she want a room on her own or what is she proposing the set up is? We always had a family room when I was growing up and it never bothered me but if she is uncomfortable I can see it is difficult to force her to share. That said I don’t think I’d be willing to pay for 2 rooms unnecessarily

CoralOP · 23/07/2026 19:41

It feels pretty normal to share. My nephew just shared on a cruise ship cabin when he was 16, no problems.
I've seen plenty people going in one hotel room with teenagers, never thought of it as an issue.

Ellie1015 · 23/07/2026 19:41

Unless only a small difference in price then we all share. Me dh, teen dd and tween ds. We arent in the room much and change in the bathroom.

mtobrokeme · 23/07/2026 19:40

On holiday now. 15 year old son is in with us. He’s perfectly happy. My sister and I always shared with our mum and dad too, even in inside cabins on cruise ships, was never a problem.

QueenMabby · 23/07/2026 19:37

My dd(17) will be sharing a room with ds(20) on holiday next month. They actually get on really well and for dressing/getting changed one just goes into the bathroom. They have a great time together.

Ablondiebutagoody · 23/07/2026 19:35

I think it's fine

Parcelpass · 23/07/2026 19:31

How long are you going away for? Where are you going? As some places offer free child places. Have you priced up a holiday where you you book 1A and 1C then dad does the same? How much more would it cost for an extra room?

MandemChickenShop · 23/07/2026 19:29

fine to share if the room is big enough for 4

redskyAtNigh · 23/07/2026 19:29

I don't think she should be forced to share (whether it's reasonable or not).

So you/she need to decide whether this means you have to go on an alternative holiday where room sharing is not required or whether she can't come at all.

personally I would look at the alternative holiday. It's not a holiday if one person is unhappy about sleeping arrangements. And I do think teens need their own space and not 4 of you in a room (which is not my idea of a holiday).

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