do you think its a bit odd to buy the house next door to your mum and dads?

[spottyzebra]

name changed for this as it could get me into trouble!

yes the house thats joint on [semi]

this is what my brother did, sil sees my mum and dad everyday! allday!

feel a bit sorry for her as she doesnt have any friends and she is alright.

do you think this is a bit unhealthy?
she doesnt go to any groups and there ds 20month old doesnt get to go anywhere or do anything

i do make an effort to see sil and parents, and do once a week but thats enough for me

id hate to live in the house thats actually joint onto my mum and dads, but can see the perks esp about babysitting lol

anyone else think its a bit odd?
or am i a cow?

I think spending all day together evrey day and not going out is the bigger issue here. I live next door to my MIL ( hubby is a farmer and we live on the family farm). Beleive me it has its moments but there would be issues wherever we lived. It seems more that your SIL needs to get out more - but only if your mum or SIL are unhap;y in the current situation. If not, I guess each to their own

I'd love to live next door to my mum - would love DS to be able to go and kiss her before bed every day.

Doubt I would see her all day every day though

CD if my parents lived next door to each other then my dickhead father would probably be dead by now

"i do think its odd, unless its the norm for you, culturally."

you see that's my point - it USED to be culturally normal to live very close (or even with) your family - there was always a real community spirit, lots of support etc etc - but that's all but gone now and I find it .

I know 2 people that have bought the house next door to their parents.
I think it's a good idea but I don't think I could do it!

I lived opposite my mum and dad for ten years, probably wouldn't live next door though. It was great when I ran out of something when preparing dinner (all the time!!) I just nipped over the road and cadged it off my mum! "Got any onions/potatoes/tomato sauce mum"!!

Also when I had my babies, she was an invaluable helper, my dad could nip over after work and see the grandkids for ten minutes and have a cuddle, I could wander over there just before bedtime so they could say night night (more cuddles).

Another benefit, when my mum fell over and broke her arm I called in everyone morning before I went to work to get her dressed and make her another cup of coffee and get her sorted for the morning before dad came home again.

We're a close family but my mum NEVER let herself in my house with a key and always rang up before coming over to see if it was OK.

My brother lived at the other end of the road. He and his gf are lucky to have the folks down the road to let their dogs out while they are at work and they have a baby on the way too so my parents can help them.

It happened alot "in the old days" with my family, all the aunts and grandparents in one street etc. It can work wonderfully, depends on the family!!

I agree Kbear we have MIL in a granny annexe & although she is quite independant she hasn't been the babysitting blessing we had hoped for-won't stay late won't put kids to bed!!

Mind you they're now getting to the age where she can just keep them company so maybe I'll start asking again!!

It's lovely for the kids to have her so close & my DH's brother & SIL have just moved to our village (which has eased the strain on us) so we're all close but independant should MIL need us.

I live next door to my sister have done for the last 2 years.

I didn't move here because I wanted to be next door I had always liked my sisters street nice and respectable with no trouble.

I also liked the style of houses there they were just what I was after.

So when I decided to move house and one came up next door to my sister i snapped it up.

I have got used to living next door and it is nice knowing that I can pop in when I am feeling bored for a chat.

Saying that I am by no means constantly around her house or vice versa you need to keep a certain amount of distance.

The only drawback is if I am having a argument with my dp I have to be careful what I am saying lol.

Good Lord, I can't think of anything worse.

I moved out from my parents' house when I was 18 and I so, so loved the independence. I'd hate to have someone constantly popping in/asking for stuff or vice versa. Gawd, I'd be on guard all the the time, never able to relax. My house is my haven AWAY from people I have opted not to live with.

Ooh I'm having palpitations just thinking about it.

But perhaps this says more about my familial relations than anything else.

There are quite few family neighbours around here, I have a mum and daughter next door to each other in my street (the other daughter moved to australia . I have MIL 5 mins walk away, which is great for baby sitting and the kids can go there straight from school . Perhaps next door to close for me.

I considered it. Then we lived with my parents for 4 months. I think we have come to the conclusion that it wouldn't be a good idea.

DP's parents live next door to his dads parents, but they did move there because they were getting older and they wanted to be close to help, unfortunately they now have to live next door knowing they need help but wont accept it.

perfect nightmare

hmm I can see the advantages as long as there were rules .like no barging in without knocking etc.

Would prefer it a few streets away ,but as my parents live in Canada I would love to live closer.

Like mamadoc, I grew up living next to my grandparents, with lots of cousins nearby & we're all still really close as adults. My brother & his dp now live in the same street as us and it's great, really handy for helping each other out & borrowing various things. When dd's a bit older, it'll be great for babysitting too!

The only disadvantage that I can see is that she doesn't seem to do anything with the DS. I don't live near my parents, but they do visit often and it can put a brake on my social life. If I'm not careful, my life revolves around DD seeing her GPs, rather than me taking her to see other children/me seeing other Mums.