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
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that people who choose to have more children whilst living in social housing shouldn't expect to be given a bigger place?

664 replies

balsamicfundamentalist · 09/06/2012 18:36

I am a member of another pregnancy forum and there is a woman there who has just had her 5th child (by choice). Neither her nor her partner work and she is complaining that the council will not giver them a bigger house (she is in a 3 bed). All the other members are sympathising with her but I don't understand why. Surely if you choose to have a child when you know your home is not big enough, you shouldn't expect the council to give you a bigger one, especially when it is sought after subsidised housing?

OP posts:
LineRunner · 09/06/2012 19:34

WhiteWidow, I think you might be talking about this 'report' www.migrationwatchuk.org/briefingPaper/document/51 ?

ouryve · 09/06/2012 19:35

"Appropriate" housing might be seen as benefitting the kids, but if we have 5 kids, we'd have to find the funds to buy a house with more bedrooms.

In the end, bedrooms are for sleeping in. We comfortably fitted 4 of us in the kids' room when our hot water tank burst into our own bedroom, a couple of years ago and didn't even have bunkbeds.

LST · 09/06/2012 19:35

Haha usual

UnChartered · 09/06/2012 19:35

people Make Things UP For The Internet Shock

this means that people really put Utterly Butterly on their scones Sad

ouryve · 09/06/2012 19:39

Just to add, I'm not saying that people should have to be cramped in social housing, because that would be unfair on the majority of housing benefit claimants who are not abusing the system, but in the end, the aim of social housing is that people living in it can be clean, dry and safe.

usualsuspect · 09/06/2012 19:40

People shouldn't have more scones if they can't afford real butter Angry

HandMadeTail · 09/06/2012 19:41

Well, usual, i have chosen to have only 3 scones (although one was accidental) and that is why I have jam and cream on my scones. In that order. With no butter.

ouryve · 09/06/2012 19:44

Who is offering scones around? Real butter on mine, please. I'll have jam, too, but not if it has currants in. Or cheese.

Ta.

ImaginateMum · 09/06/2012 19:49

My granddad was one of eleven and grew up in a three-bed house. But it had huge living areas and they also had a farm to run around in, barn to play in, etc. I think sleeping areas are one thing, room to grow, play, escape are something else again.

ImaginateMum · 09/06/2012 19:50

Oh, and I know the house well because my dad grew up in it too and so did my cousins. Smile

LucieMay · 09/06/2012 19:52

And I bet those sorts of people all feed their children at McDonald's Angry

HandMadeTail · 09/06/2012 19:53

Yes, no scones with jam and cream for those children. Sad

LineRunner · 09/06/2012 19:56

I am watching the Likely Lads film on ITV 3, from 1976. Terry has just got a high rise flat.

CelstialNavigation · 09/06/2012 19:57

Our cardboard box was recycled and came as a flatpack. Because we were vair fancy. We had twigs and pebbly shit in it.

BumpingFuglies · 09/06/2012 19:57

Just popped in to see how it's going! How many deletions? Who has been told to eff off yet?

usualsuspect · 09/06/2012 19:57

I love the likely lads

usualsuspect · 09/06/2012 19:59

Thread successfully derailed is quite civilised really.

rhondajean · 09/06/2012 19:59

My great gran raised ten kids in one room. That's true.

I think there is a line. And at great risk of a roasting, I think it's more to do with the not working than the being in social housing.

People who do work generally would struggle and have to make compromises to raise five children these days, and those compromises might include having to stay in a smaller house. I do not think children should ever suffer for their parents decision to have them, but at the same time, I do not think that people should be cushioned from the reality of their decision just because they are not in employment.

So if the house is of a good standard, then three siblings in one room and two in the other will have to do. If it is damp, in poor repair etc, they have a real problem.

rhondajean · 09/06/2012 20:00

Oops sorry I answered properly, I'll just have a scone instead, shall I request my post withdrawnGrin?

AnyoneForTennis · 09/06/2012 20:00

There is the school of thought that a Ha/council tenancy is for life. And it is. Once you have the tenancy with the council, then it is ossicle to move from a 4 bed up north, to a 2 bed down south and then back again. If you want

The houses change, locations can change.... But you have the 'tenancy' wherever you go

doggiemumma · 09/06/2012 20:01

unchartered what is it like on the far side of fuck? Are there many DM readers and shops that sell judgeypants?

usualsuspect · 09/06/2012 20:01
OhDoAdmitMrsDeVere · 09/06/2012 20:02

My inlaws raised 12 kids with no help from the council.
Mind you they did have a fuck off massive 4 storey town house....

LineRunner · 09/06/2012 20:02

ossiscle - is that not a small bone in the middle or inner ear? anyone

LineRunner · 09/06/2012 20:03

or ossicle? I'm having a fucking drink.

Swipe left for the next trending thread