To think my children can share a bedroom

[letasongcarryyoualong]

I have 2 children. DD is 5 and DS is almost 3. I am desperate for another baby, in fact I'd really like another 2 children and have a family of four but practically one more is probably my limit.

However we live in a 2 bed house which because of debt and taking out a mortgage over more than the 25 year term and a 100% mortgage we're in negative equity on and I can't see how we're ever going to be able to afford to move out. Neither of us earn much although we earn enough to keep us from being eligible for benefits. Part of this is DH, he could go for promotions etc but is happy where he is and doesn't want to add to his responsibility. I work part time.

Since we already have a DD and a DS in one bedroom I can't see how it would make much difference to add another. If I had two DDs it might be different, they could share indefinitely but as it is they have to share anyway. And I do worry about that too. At what age will DD need her own space?

As a tempory measure maybe you could split the biggest room with a false wall and give it to the kids.

My gran was one of eight, mil one of fifteen, fil one of six... Mil lived on a 3 bed house. I think we have become super precious about what matters, sharing a room is fine.

Dooin. I take it you don't live in London? We were quoted £60k for a loft extension in our relatively modest, but being in London, frighteningly expensive house. Surely mates rates wouldn't account for the difference?

Three in a room is madness unless it's huge. As a teenager, my older sister had to share quite a decent sized room with just me, and it was separated by a tall bookcase. I still used to drive her mad when she was trying to work.

Teesside and yus please if you have children. All of our nice neighbours are moving

Our house cost us £45k but was actually worth around £60k but we inherited it. It was delapidated. It's not worth a bit more than that. 'Done up' houses on our street go for about 70 - 80k for the two bed terraces (like ours) and about 100 - 120k for the big three floor houses with gardens. Not sure how many beds they are, I think 4 or 5 plus attic. We want to move to over the road to the big houses.

London prices scare me.

I ended up with my brother in with me for a few years when I was about 9, he was two when he joined me. I was very pleased when he was moved to his own room when I was twelve, replaced by my youngest sister, who was also 2 when she joined me. I was old enough at 12 to be a bit bothered by having a boy sleeping in my room, but we loved it for the first couple of years and remained closer than our siblings as a result as did youngest sister. My other two sisters shared all the way through and have remained extra close to each other.
The plasterboard partition idea sounds like a runner, and once all of them are at school you will be able to earn more.

MrsMicawber - a nice theory but believe me, growing up as one of six I can assure you it doesn't work out like that.

And lucky for your family that you had a dining room.

I do remember finding a quiet place to get homework done was almost impossible.

Well there's your answer then, OP. Move to over the road from us

There's a house for sale actually, just a few doors up on the other side.

I think yanbu if you think you could afford to move in the not too distant future (maybe five years time?)

We have 3 in a small two bed terrace. The ds are 6 and 3 and have bunks. dd is 1 and still with us but we will move her in with them soon. it is doable but we are looking to move as very cosy. we didn't plan dd but she is worth being cramped in a tiny place! could you rent the flat out and rent a bigger place?

Nothing wrong with three same sex children sharing in a room thats large enough to cope. I will be moving dd3 in with her sisters soon but the room is large enough for them and I have the option of turning my dining room into a bedroom if needs be.

I dont think that older different sex children should share a room on a permanent basis. They do need their own space once they hit puberty. My ds who is 12 would be mortified if he had to share with hiS sisters.

I think ideally you don't want them sharing from about 10 on. As some posters have said, if they have started puberty then they will probably want to have their own space and some privacy.

YABU - you can't afford a 3rd DC. You are stuggling with space as it is, you are going to have issues when your eldest hits puberty, so to make things more stretched for your exisiting children because you fancy having a 3rd is not fair on them. Yes, some people coped sharing a room with 15 siblings way back when, but you have a choice to not have to live like like. You are obviously planning that you and your DH will have one bedroom to yourselves so it's not you that has to suffer.

You can't afford a 3rd DC, so you don't get to have it. The world is full of people having to do without things they want because they can't afford them.

How old are you? Have you got time to wait? We are in same position as you had dd1 when we were both 23 dd 2 last week at 28 and 27. We are in 2 bed flat and are planning to move within 4 years so we can have 3rd dc by the time we are about 32/33ish.

I have 2 dds sharing at moment and definitely dont think it matters about sharing a room before about 11/12ish.

We had thought about having another child (our 4th) and had considered using a sofa bed in the living room. It would have only been for a few years until DD left home/went to uni. Decided against a 4th DS2 has put me off kids for life lol. If you really want another child then moving your bed to the living room is a small price to pay.

I don't think own rooms are a must. But I have only girls. My children have shared even when we've had up to two spare bedrooms. We have a playroom downstairs for them too, which helps.

Do you have any space you could convert into a playroom or bedroom; a downstairs reception, little used dining room or attic? An extension?

The baby will be in your bedroom for the first year or too? Perhaps this would give time to arrange more space?

i think it also depends how you live as a family. bedrooms were always only sleeping space for us so sharing didn't make much difference.