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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:
Palominoo · 07/04/2019 12:37

Yes to you and your husband sleeping on a sofa bed downstairs.

I would also see if grandparents can have a bedroom in their home that could be used for the 15 year old to stay over a couple of nights a week so they can have a bit of peace and quiet. But that would only work if they live nearby.

DeadZed · 07/04/2019 12:37

Could you not consider a homework station downstairs somewhere? This would alleviate the pressure on the differing needs in the bedrooms. All homework done downstairs, could you put the game console in your room so that anyone using it is not disturbing their roommates?

I have four dc in a three bedroom house - ds has the box room alone and my three dd have a triple sleeper. Because of the layout of the house we have a desk and computer at the end of our long lounge for homework and the games console is downstairs too.

Hollowvictory · 07/04/2019 12:40

Parents downstairs, although I don't know where you'd keep your stuff
2 older girls
2 younger girls
2 boys
Try to move ASAP. And use good contraception.

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Families Property
PotteringAlong · 07/04/2019 12:41

Loft conversion? You might get 2 more bedrooms out of that?

Original poster
JUMC · 07/04/2019 12:43

I'd prefer to move somewhere bigger than convert but realistically this isn't going to happen straight away

OP posts:
StormcloakNord · 07/04/2019 12:45

Did you have a bigger house before? Fall on hard times and had to down-size?

Sorry I know this isn't helpful but I just cant fathom continuing to have children when you have no space for them. Why do people do that? It's not like there aren't completely free and readily available contraception methods?!

PCohle · 07/04/2019 12:49

If you know it isn't helpful then why are you banging on about it? What is the OP meant to do, send a couple of her kids back?

StormcloakNord · 07/04/2019 12:50

She could at least try and get a refund on some of them I suppose.

doctorsbag · 07/04/2019 12:51

I’m presuming from the ages that this is a blended family, not a procreation choice.

continuallychargingmyphone · 07/04/2019 12:51

The point is the kids didn’t choose it, so the OP has to minimise their discomfort. A 4 year old should not be sleeping with an eye mask on. She deserves a good nights sleep.

Tealtights · 07/04/2019 12:51

My advice? Contraception.

doctorsbag · 07/04/2019 12:52

Unless twins?

continuallychargingmyphone · 07/04/2019 12:53

Blended family or not, the OP and her partner still chose this, the children did not, so I think the same.

JustHereForThePooStories · 07/04/2019 12:53

Are the 8 year olds twins, or have you blended your family with your boyfriend’s?

StormcloakNord · 07/04/2019 12:54

Even if it was a blended family common sense would dictate not moving in together until a bigger house could be afforded.

Smoggle · 07/04/2019 12:55

You on a sofa bed in the living room.
DD 15 in the smallest bedroom, your wardrobe etc also in this room
DS 11 & 8 in middle room
DDs 8, 4 & 1 in biggest room, two older ones in bunkbeds, youngest in cot/toddler bed.

If you have outside space, think about putting in a conservatory fairly cheaply to give additional living space so the living room can be more yours.

Original poster
JUMC · 07/04/2019 12:56

All from the same parents, 8 year olds are twins. It was just a personal choice to have my children, we did have a bigger house at one point but this is just how things are now so I'm trying to make the most of the sitation

OP posts:
GreenTulips · 07/04/2019 12:56

How big is the garden

You can get pods for around £6k all heated and WiFi etc

StormcloakNord · 07/04/2019 13:02

In that case I would follow others advice and set up camp in the living room. Finding a quiet place for your DD to do her homework is the priority right now as well.

SnuggyBuggy · 07/04/2019 13:03

Definitely the sofa bed option

stucknoue · 07/04/2019 13:12

Do you have land to put a summer house on, some are fully insulated. Not perfect but the eldest may love the idea (you can't put in plumbing and make it an annex without checking planning but standard outbuildings are ok)

Babyroobs · 07/04/2019 13:20

Some solutions that friends in similar situations have used are - an insulated log cabin/ shed in the garden for older/ teen kids/ garage conversion/ using dining room. We have 4 kids and use the downstairs front room as a bedroom for eldest ds. I have friends who were in a tiny 3 bed starter house with 3 teenagers and had a sofa bed that they pulled out every night for years on end.

gamerchick · 07/04/2019 13:27

Ah I would have loved a caravan in the garden as a teen me.

Definitely get a sofa bed for downstairs you'll need an air brick though I think or Windows open a crack.

Lost5stone · 07/04/2019 13:31

I would sofa bed for you and DH downstairs. If lounge big enough I'd try and divide it up a bit. Could you get a cabin in the garden for study space and xbox? My friend had one when we were teens and it was great, we had all sleepovers there as there wasn't room in the house. If you could then I'd put 2 youngest girls in big room as that's an age were toys are big, 2 boys in mid room and 2 eldest girls in small room

gamerchick · 07/04/2019 13:35

Ah I would love a garden pod as well. I'd move out into that personally me Grin

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