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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Do we really need a bedroom each per DC?

20 replies

hartey · 19/02/2011 21:36

We have a two bed mid terrace in a nice area - want to stay but at the moment can't afford the step up to the bigger properties.

We now both want to have DC2 - DD is 26 months and really that gap is bigger than I would have liked.

I am always going to have to go back to work - which is fine - almost ACCA qualified so shouldn't let it go to waste.

Is it crazy to have more than one child in a two bed house!

OP posts:

LemonDifficult · 19/02/2011 21:41

I suppose it depends if you have another DD or a DS. If another DD then they could probably share indefinitely.

My two DSs share and will continue to until they're at least 7yo and 5yo even though there is room for them to have their own bedrooms.

thisisyesterday · 19/02/2011 21:41

no, not crazy at all

until last weekend our 3 boys all shared a room. they would have been fine sharing longer as well but i fancied making the 3rd bedroom up for ds1!

so go for it :)

Original poster

hartey · 19/02/2011 21:46

Yep well I think we will - thx!

I wouldn't mind a DS sharing with a DD - they might though!

OP posts:

nymphadora · 19/02/2011 21:54

They could share for a couple of years without a problem. Little kids don't bother about boy/girl

MerryMarigold · 19/02/2011 21:58

We have 3 kids (one set of twins, so no choice there) and a 3 bed house. The twins share. They are boy/ girl and now 2 years old. They LOVE sharing. I'm happy for them to share till they're 7 or 8, but we'll see how things pan out, and if the boys would rather share earlier.

Only word of caution would be that a baby could disturb a school age child. You may need to keep the baby in your room till 1 yr old or so (till teething over) or be prepared for dd to sleep in your bed if the baby is ill/ crying a lot during the night.

Original poster

hartey · 19/02/2011 21:59

There is another part of the puzzle that I don't know if should be taken too much into consideration.

I'm Irish - I live in Herts - if family come and stay it's a bit of a squeeze.

Plus my parents pleaded with me not to get married and buy a bigger house instead - I have no regrets btw - I REALLY wanted to get married - as did DH

I am slowly starting to think that the bigger house will come - but being a parent is much more important!

OP posts:

MerryMarigold · 19/02/2011 22:45

You can't not have another child because you're worried about family staying. Think long term! These things will resolve in a few years. Your family dreams are not something you can compromise because of that.

mamadiva · 19/02/2011 22:55

My brother was born when I was 8 and we shared a room until I moved out at 16.

It was very rarely an issue.

BluddyMoFo · 19/02/2011 23:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mamatomany · 19/02/2011 23:10

I have mixed feeling about it, we have 4 children in a 4 bedroomed house and it doesn't feel big enough.
Mainly because my eldest always had her own room from day one so there's no way she's giving up her room, the next two are very close, like twins but they do not sleep when they are in together so I've given them a room each too.
Currently the baby is in with me but as 4th DC is a boy he will no doubt object to pink fairies etc and also need a room to himself, but there aren't many 5 bedroomed houses available full stop.
Maybe the answer is to have a smaller house and not spend so much time in it.

EngelbertFustianMcSlinkydog · 19/02/2011 23:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hester · 20/02/2011 00:09

It's normally fine till puberty, isn't it?
Given that you can't afford to move somewhere bigger, and that you don't want to delay having another child, I think you should go for it.

My goddaughter and her brother love sharing a room and won't be separated - they're 6 and 8. I shared a bedroom quite happily with my little brother till I was 10 or 11.

lalalonglegs · 20/02/2011 10:03

I've written this on another thread so apologies if it seems repetitive: each child having his or her own bedroom is a cultural expectation in this country and in no way a necessity. In Italy where I have lots of friends and family, I can't think of anyone whose children had their own room before adolescence- even in homes where there was room, children were expected to share. I have a male friend who shared his bedroom with his two sisters until they left home. I have a four-bedroom home and two of my children share because I think it fosters a closer relationship (and contains their toys ).

If you have family visiting, pay for them to stay in a local B&B, it will be cheaper than hoiking up the mortgage.

doricpatter · 20/02/2011 10:07

We've a 2 bed house and 2 DC. DS is 3 and DD is 5 months so no issues yet. We too have the visiting family issues. I'm thinking about getting a good airbed. No way can we afford a better house for a loooong time so [shrug]

Bunbaker · 20/02/2011 10:13

I grew up in a two bedroomed flat and shared a room with my sister until I left home. I hated sharing with her and couldn't wait to have a room of my own.

We live miles away from family and several friends and have always had to factor in the need for a spare bedroom for when family and friends come to stay.

Georgimama · 20/02/2011 10:17

My mother shared a room with her two sisters until they successively left home, likewise her two brothers shared. So that was five children in a 3 bed house.

TheSecondComing · 20/02/2011 10:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

KidderminsterKate · 20/02/2011 10:31

I have 4 in a 3 bed and this will carry on indefinately - probably till they leave home.

My 3 girls share a large room - set of bunks for my twins and then a single, they're 8/8/6 and it is rarely a problem. I have the smaller double and my son is in the single room. If my girls want privacy or space from each other they are allowed to use my room...2 of them rarely do but one is more introverted than the others and does use my room a bit

Sorry have waffled on - sharing rooms is fine but my girls do have a separate wardrobe/ toy box/ shelf each etc so they have space for their own things.

Original poster

hartey · 20/02/2011 11:18

I'm glad the overall consensus is that sharing is fine - my parents expectations are frankly silly.

I shared with my sister until I moved (was kicked) out at 19!

I remember us all squashing in in my parents three bed when not only 2 grandparents came to visit - normally it was uncles and some cousins aswell.

So onto making DC2!

OP posts:

Georgimama · 20/02/2011 11:38

Charlie and Lola share a bedroom and they don't mind (mostly).

What do you mean it isn't real?

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