Kids Rooms

[Doodlesd11]

Hi everyone,
I am in the process of moving to a smaller house. Me and my soon to be ex husband are in the process of finalising our divorce. I have 2 children aged 11 and 9. I have a very trivial question but need some advice and recommendations from others that have gone through a similar situation. I am wondering whether to buy the kids a bunk bed for the double room or have one child in the small box room (big enough to fit a single bed in) or give both the children a double room (there’s a double and small double room available) and me have a single bed. My head is just spinning 😵‍💫

would appreciate any advice x

So there's a double, small double and box room available?

Are the children the same sex? How well do they get on?

I had larger age gap and one boy, one girl. In your situation I kept the large double for myself but it was also where I kept all my DDs clothes, as she went in the box room. There was enough room for a mid sleeper, all toys were underneath and a small set of shelves.

It worked fine as there was plenty of room to share wardrobes etc in my room

If they get on well I might have the small double for myself, and put them in the biggest room sharing in your situation.

I would give DC separate rooms. At their ages they will quickly grow out of playing with toys. One might mature more quickly and find the other childish. If different sexes very important. Also ideally they need space to do their homework at secondary in their rooms.

Thank you both. I have 2 girls but they mess about when in with each other!
older daughter is thinking she would now like the box room with a new single bed and the youngest can have the small double. I feel guilty because at the moment they have a double bed each in their own room 🙄

It’s just a bed. Older daughter won’t need much space other than hair and make up type things. Toys will be a thing of the past. So it totally makes sense to let her have the single room.
don’t feel guilty. You should have the biggest room, why would you consider a single room. You may be single now but what if in time your circumstances change?
I absolutely would not have them share rooms. It may be ok sometimes but as they age even though they are the same sex, they need their privacy. I had two boys sharing and it was a nightmare and created resentment. I ended up getting a summer house which ultimately was really cheap versus an extension on the house. They are a fabulous addition and very versatile. One of my sons had that as his space and now has moved out it is my sewing room.

Ah the guilt!

Are you buying or if renting are you allowed to decorate?
One thing that really helped was letting DD choose the decor and furniture. Her room is very cosy and she loves it.

Plenty of kids have a box room, I know it doesn't seem like it on mumsnet but it really is pretty normal. Don't beat yourself up.

Thank you both.
I really don’t want them sharing. Younger one is a bit of a wriggler and keeps eldest up!
I’ve let her choose her own bed and she wants a dressing table which I should be able to fit in there so she’s happier now.
im moving to rented but landlord is happy for me to decorate within reason. It’s all been recently done so it doesn’t need much at all x

Ah wow, that really helps if you can decorate but you can do things like, mirrors, pictures, led lights, curtains and bedding to make it feel theirs without going to the trouble of painting especially if it has recently been done. And it will be cheaper. You can always change things around if things aren’t working too - it’s your house for you to adjust accordingly x

Good luck in your new home OP. Speaking from my experience, it is lovely finally having your own space.

Give yourself the nice big room.

Consider if you can move any walls to make the rooms more equal for the kids. If not, ask your kids what they want to do regarding sharing or not. If they want seperate rooms maybe tell them they need to swap every year or so.