Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Would you consider a 3rd child if you lived in a 2 bed house?

167 replies

Onedropbeat · 16/02/2021 18:00

You live in a 2 bed house. It’s fine as it is but will be a squeeze even with the two children when they grow up.
DH and I ideally wanted a 3rd. I’m late 30’s

There’s no chance of us affording anything bigger anytime soon due to the way house prices have increased in our area. We have solidly been priced out just in the last year because of people relocating but wanting to still be accessible to London

Pre Covid we thought that our salaries would continue increasing at the rate they had been and we’d be able to afford the next rung on our tiny ladder

We can’t really now. Wages have dropped rather than increasing and obviously won’t be increasing again for a long while if at all now

Would you have a much desired 3rd in the circumstances or just suck it up to Covid

OP posts:
Shoxfordian · 16/02/2021 18:09

No because there isn’t enough room in the house
Can you look any further afield for a bigger property?

HermioneKipper · 16/02/2021 18:10

Tricky one. I probably wouldn’t. It will be very stressful and chaotic in a small space and I doubt you would enjoy it

HermioneKipper · 16/02/2021 18:12

Edit - I say this as someone who finds 3 children (2 of whom are twins - I didn’t plan for 3) in a 3 bed house stressful and I wish we had an extra bedroom. We’re also planning on an extension downstairs as the sheer amount of stuff/space required for 3 is insane.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Families
NeedToGetOuttaHere · 16/02/2021 18:14

Normally I always say yes to the shall I have a third threads (I have 3 and love it) but in your case I’d say no unless you could move to a cheaper area or convert the loft.

JM10 · 16/02/2021 18:14

No, I wouldn't. I wouldn't have 2 children in a 2 bed house either though. We have a bigger age gap than I wanted between our children because we couldn't afford to move to a bigger house from our very small 2 bed.

Crosstrainer · 16/02/2021 18:15

No, I wouldn’t. I’m sorry. Not sure how old your two are, but I think kids need more, rather than less, space as they grow up. Nothing strains family relationships like being on top of each other constantly.

Original poster
Onedropbeat · 16/02/2021 18:16

We could probably convert but at a silly price due to needing a sprinkler system installed thanks to the downstairs layout not meeting building fire regs

Moving would be tricky as of jobs and grandparents

OP posts:
Yellowtopaz · 16/02/2021 18:16

No way.

biibbiibobby · 16/02/2021 18:16

No

Funnyface1 · 16/02/2021 18:17

No, it would be selfish if you don't have the space and money for the two children you already have.

MrBullinaChinaShop · 16/02/2021 18:17

No. We have three children in a four bed house and it can often feel crowded. I just can’t imagine doing it in a two bed house. They’d have absolutely no privacy as they grow up.

AgentProvocateur · 16/02/2021 18:18

No, they need more room as they get older and it’s jo fair for three children to be sharing a room.

rawalpindithelabrador · 16/02/2021 18:18

No

jenniuol · 16/02/2021 18:19

No and I would nearly always say go for it, but 3 children in one bedroom would be too much I think.

Stompythedinosaur · 16/02/2021 18:19

No, I wouldn't. It wouldn't be fair to the dc you already have.

Marley20 · 16/02/2021 18:19

Could you convert the loft, add an extension or turn a reception room into a 3rd bedroom? I really don't think I would if there's no way to drum up extra space. I have 2 kids in a 3 bedroom house and struggle.

Lemonsyellow · 16/02/2021 18:19

Yes. We had three in a two-bed house. It was fine. They shared (all the same sex) until they left home/went to university. But not if you are struggling for money. We had enough but we didn’t want to move somewhere bigger/ more expensive. As it was, we had money to go round and have a nice life without scrimping.

Letsplough · 16/02/2021 18:19

I'm a single mum of 3 & live in a two bed. Two DS share, DD16 has her own room & I sleep on the sofa, it's shit.
I'm in the same boat, can't afford anything bigger & the DC don't want to move out further as they have their friends & school, also my work is nearby.
Don't do it would be my advice, it's no good as they get older.

Marley20 · 16/02/2021 18:20

Although my FIL would tell you they had 5 boys who had to share a room and it's done them no harm apparently 🤣 he thought we were crazy buying a 3 bed so our kids could have a room each so 🤷

Equimum · 16/02/2021 18:21

I’m another who would say probably not, although how long do you think it would be until you could afford somewhere bigger or remodel your home? It would be silly to miss the chance of a much wanted child for the sake of a couple of years inconvenience.

FEIW we are currently expecting our third, and live in a three bed. That said, all three are double beds and we have three reception rooms. We are also currently looking at loft conversions, as going forwards, we know we’ll want another bedroom and bathroom.

TenShortStories · 16/02/2021 18:22

Do you have loft space you could convert?

I had 3 children in a two bed house (and the second bedroom was a box room) but only while the 3rd was still a baby so slept in with us. It was perfectly manageable but not enjoyable! Personally I wouldn't want to do it with 3 of proper children age where they are all crashing around needing space and having millions of toys and shoes to find storage for. People do though, so it's got to be about what you feel takes priority.

Maybe look up blogs about living in tiny spaces with kids - I read a great one ages ago about a single dad who lived in a one bed apartment with 3 kids and had made it work really well.

Insertfunnyname · 16/02/2021 18:23

No I wouldn’t. This is definitely a case of count your blessings and don’t be greedy.

Chewingle · 16/02/2021 18:24

Good Lord no.

THNG5 · 16/02/2021 18:24

I would say it depends on how old your other 2 are. I have 4 children under 4 and we're currently in a 2 bed. We bought the house 5 years ago and never imagined having 4 kids. Our first 2 are close in age (13 months between them) but I really wanted a third and didn't want a big age gap between them. After having number 3, my tubes were cut but it didn't work and 6 months later I was pregnant again.
At the moment, the older 3 are in one room and baby in with us but we are looking at either moving or expanding. We're stuck for another couple of years but we won't be able to stay here for many more years. As the kids are little, living space isn't an issue but there just won't be enough space downstairs as the kids get bigger. And obviously not enough bedrooms!

RealisticSketch · 16/02/2021 18:25

I would totally have a third child if I could fit the beds in. But I grew up in a tiny tiny house and thus have a very different concept of the space necessary to live than many people on here. It wasn't like it didn't have it's peculiarities... But if family dynamics are lead well by the parents it isn't anything that can't be overcome, find memories now. I'd rather do that than mourn the child I always wanted. (Personally I only wanted two but would have been devastated to stop at one, my family wasn't complete).