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Original poster

Where to put all these kids?! Wwyd?

667 replies

MissMooley · 25/03/2023 21:00

Wasn't sure where to post this to get the most advice.
Basically I'm in a 3 bed house. Me, dds 14 & 19, and ds 11&8.
Currently, dd 14 & 19 have their own rooms, and the boys share. I have a bed in the living room.
It's worked for us nicely, but now I'm due twins in 10 weeks 😂🙈
I have no idea where they're going lol
My options so far are:

1- Scrap having a living room and just make it a full bedroom for me and the twins.

2- make the living room a full bedroom, and move the sofa etc into the outshed, but not sure how that will go in winter, it gets pretty cold and I don't have the money to fully convert it (also a council house, so would need permission I assume?)

That's it. I don't like the idea of having no living room but there's literally no space to have the cots and all the baby stuff in there with my bed and the sofa etc too.

I've considered the girls sharing, but eldest has asd and several mh disorders so can't see that working for her.

Just feel a bit stuck and hoping someone has a magic solution I haven't thought of!

OP posts:
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7
3luckystars · 25/03/2023 21:01

I think your only option is to turn the living room into a bedroom. It’s not forever. All the best.

Newnamenewname109870 · 25/03/2023 21:03

How big are all the kids bedrooms?

pncr · 25/03/2023 21:03

Can you make the living room a bedroom temporarily and have the babies there with you and go into the roof space in the longer term?

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Families
Cherrybl0ssm · 25/03/2023 21:03

Could DDS share ? Bunkbeds. Then you move into one of their rooms w Twins. Alternatively making the living room a bedroom is your other choice I guess.

Newnamenewname109870 · 25/03/2023 21:04

Also you can do both. Lose the living room but use the outshed for a living area when you can. Hang out in kitchen in winter?

Newnamenewname109870 · 25/03/2023 21:05

If there is one particularly big bedroom you could divide it in two for the girls

pncr · 25/03/2023 21:05

Get a decent sofa bed?

MichelleScarn · 25/03/2023 21:06

If council are you not eligible for move as must be over crowded already?

pncr · 25/03/2023 21:06

MichelleScarn · 25/03/2023 21:06

If council are you not eligible for move as must be over crowded already?

That's a good point?

Original poster
MissMooley · 25/03/2023 21:07

I have considered the girls sharing, but with eldests issues, I don't think it would do her well.

OP posts:
Nimbostratus100 · 25/03/2023 21:07

The girls need to share

Are the twins the same sex? they get the other room, if so, and you share with them for a year or so, then go back downstairs to sleep in the living room

Original poster
MissMooley · 25/03/2023 21:08

Yes I'm already overcrowded, I was when they gave me the house, but getting any bigger than a 3 bed is nearly impossible around here.

OP posts:
Dyslexicwonder · 25/03/2023 21:08

Could you persuade the 18yo to sleep downstairs ?

Newnamenewname109870 · 25/03/2023 21:08

MissMooley · 25/03/2023 21:07

I have considered the girls sharing, but with eldests issues, I don't think it would do her well.

Get a room divider

Wellillsayitifnoonelsewill · 25/03/2023 21:10

can One of the largest two rooms be split in to two smaller rooms for daughters to make a 4 bed? Then you and the babies take the largest of 4 bed? what about living room?

is there any way you are entitled to 4 beds through social housing? This is major overcrowding and needs looking at

Is the eldest diagnosed in any capacity? Any disability/pip which may further cause…

Original poster
MissMooley · 25/03/2023 21:10

@Nimbostratus100 I'm having a boy and a girl 😂 although that won't matter for many years yet.

@Newnamenewname109870 ill look into that and suggest it.

@Dyslexicwonder thats a good idea, especially as she's a night owl

OP posts:
pncr · 25/03/2023 21:12

Room divider is a great idea - divide the biggest room?

Original poster
MissMooley · 25/03/2023 21:13

Wellillsayitifnoonelsewill · 25/03/2023 21:10

can One of the largest two rooms be split in to two smaller rooms for daughters to make a 4 bed? Then you and the babies take the largest of 4 bed? what about living room?

is there any way you are entitled to 4 beds through social housing? This is major overcrowding and needs looking at

Is the eldest diagnosed in any capacity? Any disability/pip which may further cause…

Yes she's got diagnosed for it all, only a couple of years ago just before she turned 18. She's not on pip or anything at the moment, just uc with limited capability. That's took long enough to get her to sort.

OP posts:
isthewashingdryyet · 25/03/2023 21:15

pncr · 25/03/2023 21:06

That's a good point?

Show quote history

Didn’t the rules change a few years ago so you only count the first two pregnancies for things like benefits and housing ? unless exceptional circumstances

and won’t the 18 year old be considered an adult and responsible for housing themselves ?

pncr · 25/03/2023 21:16

I thought it was only 2 kids that counted for UC/tax credits not for over crowding?

MathsNervous · 25/03/2023 21:16

I would suggest room divider. Not many options really.

KenAdams · 25/03/2023 21:16

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Wellillsayitifnoonelsewill · 25/03/2023 21:18

MissMooley · 25/03/2023 21:13

Yes she's got diagnosed for it all, only a couple of years ago just before she turned 18. She's not on pip or anything at the moment, just uc with limited capability. That's took long enough to get her to sort.

Show quote history

Get down to your social housing office with all her letters etc and start asking questions.

say she needs own room so you need four beds. It may be a case of finding a private rental they can cover but also if they are willing to loft conversion or double extension back or side.

look up rules etc re overcrowding and push them for a resolution/solution.

Original poster
MissMooley · 25/03/2023 21:25

isthewashingdryyet · 25/03/2023 21:15

Didn’t the rules change a few years ago so you only count the first two pregnancies for things like benefits and housing ? unless exceptional circumstances

and won’t the 18 year old be considered an adult and responsible for housing themselves ?

Show quote history

I believe that that was just for benefits etc, not housing.
That's what I'm unsure about, will she be expected to sort her own housing?
Regardless, it'll be years before I even had a hope of getting anywhere bigger. I'm fully expecting to stay where I am.

@KenAdams great story, woman in her 30s deals with consequences of her own actions 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
MissMooley · 25/03/2023 21:28

@Wellillsayitifnoonelsewill getting hold of them is a nightmare. I'm going to the offices in person next step.
I tried to private rent before, but having 4 kids seemed to put landlords off.

To be clear, I don't expect them to rehouse me. I will pop myself back on the list, but I chose to continue with this pregnancy knowing it would be tough. Just looking for the best solution 😊

OP posts: