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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to move into a 2 bed flat with 3 children?

49 replies

PassTheBaileys · 28/02/2013 21:33

im in the middle of splitting with OH, I'm not financially well off at the moment and due to being q bit short on the rent a few times my landlady asked if I'd be interested in somewhere smaller, its a 2 bed ground floor flat with a garden and its 100 pound cheaper a month.
I know a few people with 3 kids in flats this size and they cope fine, the plan is to save up for a bigger place eventually.

OP posts:
NotSuchASmugMarriedNow · 28/02/2013 21:34

I'm watching this thread with interest coz I'm thinking of doing the exact same thing. Only problem is I have one boy and two girls.

Are your dc all the same sex, coz that would be fairly easy I would think.

Original poster
PassTheBaileys · 28/02/2013 21:35

I have two boys and one girl, 5 4 and 3.

OP posts:
NotSuchASmugMarriedNow · 28/02/2013 21:37

could you share with your dd? and put the boys together, that would be workable. Obviously I can't share with my son but am thinking of using the living room as a bedroom and just managing with that

AmandaPayne · 28/02/2013 21:38

I haven't done it, but I have two sets of friends (couples, so one extra person in the flat) who do.

The key is storage. The people who are on an upper floor and have a loft find it masses easier than the couple who don't have much storage. It's stuff like where to put the Christmas tree, or the hand-me-downs that haven't quite been grown into.

A garden would make it easier. Maybe you could use a shed as storage if it was all stored good and watertight?

HollyBerryBush · 28/02/2013 21:38

I dont see the problem if they are all quite young; if you are looking at teens sharing with toddlers, thats just not fair with regard to homework, study time and puberty (JMHO) You can always move in a year or two.

have you applied for /investigated HB?

Just watching a docu about families of 8 kids sharing two rooms in the 1950's. One family of 22 in a 2up-2down cottage. None of them went without.

IneedAsockamnesty · 28/02/2013 21:39

Yanbu. They can share until they are older when you will probably be in a better position money wise.

But so you know it is my understanding that LHA (HB) will say 2 kids over 1yo to a room so you may get help from that angle

StaticSockMonster · 28/02/2013 21:39

YANBU. You are being sensible. You need to do what's best for you and your future now. Realistically by downsizing, you could save £1200 a year as well as the money you will save by not having a larger property to heat.
I would ask to view the property before you make any decisions though.
I think it's quite helpful of your land lady too. She could have just given you notice to leave your current property but is giving you another option.

ubik · 28/02/2013 21:39

I think you would fine for a few years. I had 3 girls in one room until DD1 was eight years old. DP shared with his sister til he was 10. Garden sounds good!

Original poster
PassTheBaileys · 28/02/2013 21:43

The flats have 2 huge cupboards so storage wouldn't be a problem.
my daughter sleeps with me anyway she's going through that phaseAngry but I don't think I'd fit my bed and her bed in the smaller room The other rooms huuge so thought they could all share.

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ubik · 28/02/2013 21:45

we tried to give every child their own 'bit' of the room so each had shelving above bed and some drawers - it meant they could have their own stuff. Your eldest could be tucked in the corner, you could even put a curtain up for him and get him a reading light so he can stay up later without disturbing the others.

determinedma · 28/02/2013 21:46

Yes you can do it. When my parents split my mother and four of us lived in a two bed flat for five years. One boy in box room, three girls in one room, mum slept in front room on zed bed.we were all teens too!
We have had 3 kids in two bed flat. Dds share a room, ds in with us. Or, put three Dcs in one room. The mixed sex thing is really not a problem at all while they are young.

chocolatespiders · 28/02/2013 21:48

would you consider sleeping in the lounge? that's what I do, it not ideal but works for us.

parabelle · 28/02/2013 21:48

Sounds very sensible. Like you say, it's not forever and they're quite young.
A garden will make it easier, particularly as the weather gets warmer.

MousyMouse · 28/02/2013 21:50

very sensible.
atm the dc are still small so can share a room.
later mabybe you can sleep in the lounge so that you dd can have the smaller bedroom and the ds' share the larger one (assuming that it's a typical double/single bedroom flat)

Original poster
PassTheBaileys · 28/02/2013 21:54

around here the council allow mixed sexes in the same room till they are 10, my friend has 2 boys and a girl of similar ages and they refuse to move her (council property)
it's more about the money that I'll save I think it would be brilliant for a year or 2 ibuk thats a good idea about giving them their own 'bit' of the room, its most likely de will sleep with me but atheist she'd have Hebron space for toys etc.
I could sleep in the lounge but I really don't think theiced sex thing is a problem.

OP posts:
Original poster
PassTheBaileys · 28/02/2013 21:57

static my landlady is lovely I've been a tenant for 5 years in her propertys so she's got to know me quite well.

OP posts:
Original poster
PassTheBaileys · 28/02/2013 21:58

omg I really need to check my posts im on my phone so apologiesBlush

OP posts:
Original poster
PassTheBaileys · 28/02/2013 21:59

at least*
her own
mixed sex thing*

OP posts:
Original poster
PassTheBaileys · 28/02/2013 22:00

kte a large double and a small double if that makes sense Grin

OP posts:
KobayashiMaru · 28/02/2013 22:01

I have 3 in a 2bed permanently, its not even a big room they have. It's fine.

Moominsarescary · 28/02/2013 22:04

I think it's fine as they are so young.

lowercase · 28/02/2013 22:09

Have you seen the triple bunks?
Or stacking beds?
Or, double under single over?

My ex grew up with 2 brothers in a 1 bed flat, the boys had the living room, from a young age would get up early and tidy away their bed things.

Children don't seem to mind it being cosy.
Even where they have separate beds and rooms will often end up in a pile :)

expatinscotland · 28/02/2013 22:11

I'd do it.

TerraNotSoFirma · 28/02/2013 22:14

Is the kitchen big enough that you could put a sofa in it and use as both kitchen and living room? Friends of mine have done this and it's quite a squash but nice and cosy.

If not, I would give the boys one room and the girl her own and sleep in the living room. Would that be an option?

I think you are doing the right thing, £100 is a lot of money to be saved each month.

Cherriesarelovely · 28/02/2013 22:15

I have friends with 5 Dcs, 4 boys and 1 girl aged 4-9 and they all sleep in the same room. They get along fine! I think there are 2 bunk beds and a little bed for the little girl.

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