To want to live in a two bedroom cottage with three kids?

[sobigle]

It's in the area I love so much and feel so settled in and it's all we can afford there.

Anyone else live in a tiny place with lots of kids?

My friend did this a year ago to get her kids into a village school. She hugely, hugely regrets it. She has nowhere to put all their stuff and they're all pissed off because they get under each other's feet. She has three girls so they all share.

I guess if the rooms are absolutely massive then it'd be ok but I really couldn't do it.

How many rooms altogether in the house? Is there space enough for everyone?
Where will DD sleep?

Personally I wouldn't. 3 teenagers in a tiny cottage sounds a recipe for lots of arguments and frustration.

I don't think it's fair or good for kids to grow up never being able to spend any time alone, if it can be avoided.

So if you'd still be able to facilitate that somehow, maybe YANBU.

It isn't just bedroom space though is it, two bed cottages tend to not have much by the way of downstairs space either.

I've got 3 children. The eldest 2 share. All 3 of them in together and nowhere to box out sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

I wouldn't. Putting the comfort of your family behind the need for a house to feel right is bonkers. You need a minimum of three bedrooms as time goes on, and you've said yourself you can afford that if you have to.

Yes if it's London. I'm out far more here than anywhere else I've lived.

Have you a dining room to convert to a bedroom?

What about that fab Pinterest thing with the bunk beds?

Have you got a floor plan we can fool around with?

It depends doesn't it? There's a few 2 bed cottages around here but they have big bedrooms and the downstairs is a lot bigger with lots more space and rooms eg large kitchen diner, conservatory, 2 lounges etc
So although kids would share sleeping space there is plenty of living space for people to spread out
In that case it could work

Or if you mean a 2 up 2 down miners cottage with a small lounge and a small kitchen and 2 tiny bedroom then no, it would be hell.

We have 3 kids and the 2 boys share a room but downstairs we have a playroom(conservatory), study, and a table in the kitchen as well as a table in the lounge so plenty of space for people to be seperate, have projects out on a table etc

Room in the garden for a summer house/teenage hang out when they're older?

If the place with the four bedroomed houses has poor schools and few amenities, then I'd make the space sacrifice and live in the cottage but I'd look to extend it asap. The arrangement isn't suitable for your daughter long-term.

Far too small.

My dc are 11,9,7, g,b,g and I think it would be horrendous having them all sharing a room. They get on well, but the older they are get to get to the more the older one is appreciating her own space. On holiday they shared a tent bedroom and the eldest girl was uncomfortable changing in front of her brother, which we respected and solved the problem, but as a day to day thing, it would be hard going.
DH was one of four dc in a three bedroom house, he shared the biggest room with two brothers. His main reason for not wanting a forth child was that there was never any space when he was growing up and he could never be on his own. Sometimes we all crave a bit of alone time and he coukd never have it. For his family there was no other option, but I think if you have the option to not live so cramped together you should take it.

Trying to imagine a 16 year old boy, a 14 year old boy and a 10 year old girl sharing a room.

Op, are they big rooms? Or would you be willing to give up your bedroom and sleep in the living room? I guess they could never have friends round either? Not easily anyway? Also how many bathrooms are there? What about storage, can you get three teenagers stuff in the one room and their beds?

I'd maybe post a link. See if anyone can work out how to do it,

YABU if you have alternatives

Having children means making sacrifices. You can't have your dream cottage in your dream location if it has a big negative impact on your children.

No No No No No

It might possibly work for a year or two esp if you can have the littlest one in with you. As soon as they get to an age they need their own space, then it will be a disaster. The boys might be able to share but you have a third, a girl, so nope. Not doable.

Don't put your "ideal" in front of actual reality - your kids, their privacy, their dignity and space/freedom.

Plus - stuff!!! It gets worse as they get older not better!

I think it's a baddd idea, they will get to an age where they need their privacy. I understand it's horrible to be priced out of an area you love (I grew up in London and am having to move to a new area to afford to buy a 3/4 bedroom house) I'm gutted to move away from my family but I have to do what's right for my daughter and any subsequent children we may have.

My sister lived in a 2 bedroom cottage with 5 kids. I still think they took it in turns to breathe, but she managed!

Having done exactly that I say noooo, don't do it!
We relied on being able to move at a certain point, but due to various health issues and having to HE 2 DC, we are still in a house that's too small, and we have no options to be able to move.

If you can stretch to something bigger, do it, at least if it ends up a forever home it'll be one that can contain you all ok.

I don't think it's desirable if you have other options. It's going to get harder as they get older not easier.

Sounds a nightmare unless you have no other options, Don't do it.

The age they are sharing would not be too bad. I have 4 children 3 girls all share a room and it's ok. Storage is hard for them but it's the way it is. If you could extend at a later date then I would say go for it.

Personally I think it can only work if all the DC are boys or all girls and the shared room is really big. It's not just bed space you need to think about...all the other furniture needed... wardrobes, chest of drawers, desks etc

How small is the cottage? Is your 8 year old really going to want to share with a 2 year old?

We lived in a 2 bed with DS1, DS2 and then DD came along. Exactly the same age gap and they shared a room until DD was 2. There was not enough space for clothes and toys, DD enjoyed waking up the boys and they were too tired for school and nursery and it just wouldn't have worked long term. We had to move to a larger place because of it. Also when your eldest is a little older I doubt he will want to share his room with his little sister.