Ok I'm ignoring the potential problems of another pregnancy but talk to me about 4dc &3 bedrooms

[HarrietJones]

Dd1-11, dd2-9 currently share. Dd3-6m currently with us, will have small bedroom eventually.

We planned for dc 4 but no chance of moving in the next 5+ years & dh says he will be too old then & I wanted a 2 ish year gap.

So tell me the practicalities!

Especially if dc4 was a boy...

Just do it! If you have a boy, can you fit bunk beds and a single in the bigger bedroom - if not can you swap and let the 3 girls have your room if it's bigger and then have your boy in the 3rd small room. If you have another girl put bunks in the small room and have 2 in each. You'll work it out!

it's not just the bedrooms you need to think about though...is the rest of your house big enough for 6 people to live there?

No room for an extra bed with dd1/2. Small room is in the roof space so too low for bunks. Think we would have to go in there if we could fit a bed in.

Rest of the house- huge living room, small kitchen + utility/pantry, small living room, huge garden. Problem might be the one bathroom...

How chaotic was the bathroom ruby?

I have 3 girls and a boy. My girls are in one room - bunks and a single and my son in the small room. Agree that the younger 2 will be able to share for years....

we also only have 1 bathroom - not been a problem but may be in years to come!

I've got 2 boys who share with bunkbeds, and we're expecting twins this summer.

We're planning for them to stay in cotbeds for as long as poss, but as they are boy/girl, we'll have to convert loft or move eventually.

Ah the extra loo would help.our bathroom is v busy at the moment with dd2 & I showering every am, dd1 some am/pm & dh/dd3 every evening

And we are just heading into teens...

I say just go for it.

You will be moving evetually and you will (hopefully) have the luxury of more space there so your current house is more of a temporary arrangement?

Is a fold up bed an option (for a smaller child)? I know they're not exactly pretty but it would fold away nicely under the bunkbeds if a full size single won't fit in there.

Or maybe a trundle bed to roll away under the bunkbeds?

Honestly I think if you don't do it you will regret it in later years. There is always a way to cope. :)

I have 3 girls & 1 boy, all grown up now. We had just one bathroom and the loo was in it! it was difficult sometimes, especially in the monrings getting ready for school when the girls were in their teens but you get round it.

so you have 2 living rooms?

could one of them become a bedroom?

A boy under 5 can easily share with an older sister.

No. Second living room is in the cellar with wood burner. 5 story house so if we had it it's too far from kids.

Had 5 of us showered/bathed by 9:15 this am ( dh was in at 5 but the rest took an hour).

@ 5 storey house . I think I love your house

Tall & skinny though, all the space is used up by stairs!

You've got to think of the living space, more than the bedrooms really, is there a play room, somewhere for the older children to peacefully do their home work, can you afford the activities for the little ones as well as trendy clothes for the older ones ?
I've found it a struggle, people expect the baby to be immaculate and dressed beautifully whilst you're trying to buy the latest trends for the older ones.
And keep the older ones focused whilst the little one eats their homework diary - it's quite trying at times.

Yes, big living room for family stuff, cosy room for tv watching/teenagers (reason I had it converted!)
Think we are lucky locally as activities are few & cheap. Dds aren't particularly expensive to keep so far (not into consoles/expensive toys) & neither of the older ones get fashion (good job as there's only new look within £20 miles!).

Any luck yet HJ?

[csmile]