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Original poster

8 people and 3 bedrooms

74 replies

JUMC · 07/04/2019 11:57

Currently living in a 3 bedroom house with 6 children and DP and I. 4 DD's ages 13 months, 4, 8 and 15. 2 DS's ages 8 and 11. The current set up isn't really working, DP and I are in the smallest bedroom with our youngest who's getting a bit old to still be in with us. Then both boys are in one room and girls are in the other. DD15 is struggling to get homework and such done whilst sharing with DD4. DD8 and DD15 would like to continue sharing, DS8 wants to share with DD8, she's also happy with that as long as she's still with older sister. DD4 wants to share with DS11, he's not so keen on that because of her early bedtime and wanting to play on his xbox in his bedroom. The two bedrooms are quite big, big enough to fit a bunk bed and a single bed. I know some are a little old to be sharing with opposite sex but it's not seen as a big deal in our house and they're happy to. This isn't an ideal situation but won't be able to move for at least a few years

OP posts:
Original poster
JUMC · 07/04/2019 12:02

Bump

OP posts:
DisplayPurposesOnly · 07/04/2019 12:03

Any reception rooms that can be used as a bedroom?

DD4 wants to share with DS11, he's not so keen on that because of her early bedtime and wanting to play on his xbox in his bedroom

Ear plugs and sleep mask for DD4, headphones and dim light for DS11?

SheRaTheAllPowerful · 07/04/2019 12:05

Can you sleep in the front room? That would open up another bedroom.

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CallMeWoman · 07/04/2019 12:06

Have you got a dining room you could convert to a bedroom? Or get a nice sofabed for you and dh to use, giving more bedroom space to the children? Converted shed in the garden perhaps?

continuallychargingmyphone · 07/04/2019 12:07

I think it is ridiculous to expect an 11 year old boy to share with a 4 year old girl. Why on earth should she have to wear eye masks? Would you like to sleep like that?

You made this ridiculous situation. Get a sofa bed, sleep downstairs and give the poor kids some space.

Isitweekendyet · 07/04/2019 12:11

Sofabed for you and your partner to sleep downstairs.

Two eldest girls in big room.
Two boys in big room.
Two little girls in small room and distribute toys amongst the rooms.

Only way to do it really and just fingers crossed the eldest decide to go to uni!

Original poster
JUMC · 07/04/2019 12:12

We could sleep in the livingroom and get a sofa bed. No extra rooms really

OP posts:
doctorsbag · 07/04/2019 12:13

Which rooms do you have exactly? Up and down.

wigglypiggly · 07/04/2019 12:13

I Wouldnt expect a 15 yo to share with two 8 yo. Could she a nd 8 yo sister have your room. Put the two boys together, can you divide up their room with furniture or a screen and then have toddler and 4yo in together. Like others suggest you and dh could have a sofa bed.

VanessaShanessaJenkins · 07/04/2019 12:15

Why did you have so many children without space for them?
You made the mess. You sleep in the living room like suggested to help the situation.

Original poster
JUMC · 07/04/2019 12:16

We have 3 bedrooms up stairs and a bathroom. Downstairs we have a toilet, kitchen (which also has the dinning table in) and a livingroom

OP posts:
doctorsbag · 07/04/2019 12:17

Do you have a garden? Caravan in the garden has just been suggested in the other overcrowding thread!

DantesInferno · 07/04/2019 12:18

no chance of moving?
getting an extension?

but wow! 6 dc? in a 3 bed house?

doctorsbag · 07/04/2019 12:18

Or even a homework shed!

DantesInferno · 07/04/2019 12:19

not sure a caravan is an answer, you could only really pop the oldest in there, and 15 is a bit young

Loft?

RomanyQueen1 · 07/04/2019 12:21

You can't have a boy of 11 with a four year old girl.
I'd keep it as it is tbh, you can't really do anything else.
Your room, boys room and girls room.
Could you convert an attic to another bedroom, or a reception room for a study for dd.

pinkyredrose · 07/04/2019 12:23

Why did you have so many kids if you don't have room? Anyway how about loft space?

bakewellpath · 07/04/2019 12:24

Your downstairs must be quite big. Can you put in a temporary wall to make a downstairs bedroom?

troppibambini · 07/04/2019 12:24

Sorry but really unfair why have so many when you've got no room for them?
And that's from someone with a big family you need to go on the sofa bed and free up another bedroom.

QueenBeex · 07/04/2019 12:25

People telling the OP she made this mess, or she created this situation isn't very helpful. She wants advice on who should share a room with who, and how to make it work with the 3 rooms she has. Telling her not to have as many children isn't really helping, the children are very much here now. She isn't asking for opinions on how many children she has.

YourSarcasmIsDripping · 07/04/2019 12:28

You and DH move in the livingroom. The 15 yo gets the smallest room to herself. The two boys share the next biggest room. The 3 younger girls share the biggest room, preferably with some partitioning so the 8yo gets some privacy as well. Bunk beds and space savings ideas will be necessary.

junebirthdaygirl · 07/04/2019 12:31

Do not have an 11 year old playing an xbox in his room as that room belongs to all the boys. You just have to put in bunks and have girls together, boys together. That's it. No mixing and no TVs or boxes as that's a sleeping place. Keep downstairs for all activities. I come from a big family and ye will manage but rooms for sleeping only. No debate.
If you have 6 DC you must have strict rules and call things. Don't let everyone have a say.

PCohle · 07/04/2019 12:31

I agree with Isitweekends suggestion re the bedroom sharing arrangements.

I would be doing everything in my power to try and find larger accommodation ASAP.

bsc · 07/04/2019 12:36

Do all these children have the same parents, or are they a blended family? Just because it's hard to make children share if they haven't grown up together, e.g. the 8yo and 11yo boy.
I think I would put 3 girls in largest bedroom, 2 boys in next size bedroom, oldest girl in smallest room so she can study, you sleep downstairs, using a reception room as a playroom in the day, bedroom at night
Or, all girls in biggest, boys in second, you in third, and a reception room or suitable space downstairs allocated for silent work space. Your eldest DD is at a crucial stage, and you really need to support her. Also- check whether her school library is open after school for quiet study, and let her off all chores etc to facilitate her study.

Leobynature · 07/04/2019 12:36

Why are people telling OP that she shouldn’t have had so many children ??? Is this helping, they are all here now!!

I would try to keep same sex children in a room. Saving to extend and having a sofa bed in the living room seems like a good idea