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Original poster

Three adults sharing one bathroom?

56 replies

sarahb083 · 09/12/2020 10:27

Hi, DH and I are expecting our first in Feb. My mum is moving back to the UK from abroad and will be staying with us to help with the baby. We have a 3 bedroom / 1 bath house, and are waiting for planning permission for an extension containing a bedroom and ensuite. We're undecided as to whether we should start building the extension as soon as we get planning, to minimise the time spent having to all share a bathroom. On the other hand, though, building works with an infant seem like an unnecessary stress. Either way, we'll all be sharing one bathroom for at least a few months. Anyone have experience with three adults sharing a bathroom? How bad is it? Any tips for minimising stress/inconvenience?

OP posts:
FortunesFave · 09/12/2020 10:36

I've done it with my MIL. It's ok as long as everyone wipes up their own pee and poo stains from the loo and never leaves the floor wet.

Or wet towels.

halcyondays · 09/12/2020 10:38

This is perfectly normal? Confused

Redcrayons · 09/12/2020 10:55

Depends on the morning schedule. Me and two teens work it as I get up earlier so shower first and then they go after me.

We do have a downstairs toilet, which is a godsend tbh.

WelliesWithHeels · 09/12/2020 11:01

I would want to minimize the time sharing the bathroom between three adults. Having builders around is never easy, but while your little one is very young he/she won't recall the disruption and you have three adults to take him out for walks or errands when it gets too noisy.
In the meantime maybe set up a dressing table in one of the bedrooms stocked with makeup wipes, cosmetics, blow dryer, lotions, etc. that might otherwise have been in the bathroom so as to reduce overlap?

LemonBreeland · 09/12/2020 11:05

People are so bloody spoilt these days. Why is it hard for 3 adults to share a bathroom? We have 2 adults, two teenagers and a younger child with one bathroom, and we manage fine.

LittleMissLockdown · 09/12/2020 11:08

@halcyondays

This is perfectly normal? Confused
That's exactly what I was thinking. 3 adults to a bathroom is totally normal, it wouldn't ever occur to me to need to add an en-suite.
Purpler5 · 09/12/2020 11:09

Agree with @LemonBreeland

isitsnowingyet · 09/12/2020 11:12

Grin Grin

First world dilemmas indeed. 5 of us live in a house - kids are all over 16 - so yes HORROR - there are 5 adults sharing a bathroom here......

WelliesWithHeels · 09/12/2020 11:19

For everyone saying one bathroom with multiple adults is perfectly normal and manageable, what happens when someone has food poisoning or a bad period/cramps?
Obviously we all need to make do with what we have, but if there was an option for an extra bath (which is sounds like OP has), why not?

Seeline · 09/12/2020 11:25

I think it depends whether the bathroom also contains the only toilet in the house.

There are essentially 4 adults sharing a bathroom in this house, but the upstairs loo is separate and we have a downstairs loo too. I think it could be very difficult if the only loo was out of action whilst someone had a bath/shower, or similarly the washing facilities were unavailable every time someone went to the loo - especially in the morning 'rush hour'.

Tehmina23 · 09/12/2020 11:31

I grew up with 2 adults & 2 teens sharing a bathroom.
Then flatmates- 6 of us sharing a bathroom at one point!!
Now I have my own bathroom and it's great..

But anyway, lay down some basic rules of cleanliness by leaving toilet wipes, a toilet brush, bleach, air freshener, hand wash & towels, spare loo roll etc. Also a small bin.

unmarkedbythat · 09/12/2020 11:33

Does half this website live in some sort of multi bathroomed, en suite ridden lap of luxury? How can "can three adults share a bathroom" be a question that needs answering?

LemonBreeland · 09/12/2020 11:33

@WelliesWithHeels

For everyone saying one bathroom with multiple adults is perfectly normal and manageable, what happens when someone has food poisoning or a bad period/cramps? Obviously we all need to make do with what we have, but if there was an option for an extra bath (which is sounds like OP has), why not?
Obviously the OP is going to do the building work anyway, but I don't see the rush to do it with a newborn, when as many of us have pointed out, it is perfectly manageable.
DontStopThinkingAboutTomorrow · 09/12/2020 11:37

I had 4 siblings, and we were all very close in age. So 7 people (including as adults/teens) sharing one bathroom. It works, unless you have a family outbreak of stomach upset or something.

RB68 · 09/12/2020 11:40

Jeez we used to share one bathroom at home there were 8 of us

Anyway pointers

Prioritise anyone who needs to be out of the house in the morning and others work around them.

All clean up and wipe round after selves

All have own towels and place to dry them - towel rails in bedrooms work best

All have own place for toiletries and you keep bare min in the bathroom OR don't keep in bathroom but take in with you each time

Cleaning stuff stored away

Loo roll within reach of the loo as its inevitable some fucker doesn't replace and leaves one sheet etc

Rotate a "big clean" between you

HTH

JustAnotherUserinParadise · 09/12/2020 11:44

weird... when my siblings and I were back from uni in the summer holidays etc, there were 5 adults sharing 1 bathroom at my parents' house, and it was fine. There was a separate downstairs loo as well though, which makes a big difference! Hairdryers and makeup are kept in bedrooms!

Africa2go · 09/12/2020 12:31

OP - unless you have builders already lined up - you've got little chance of getting them to start an extension in the next few months (well, a reputable builder anyway).

I also think it's a silly question - yes, just for privacy it would be lovely for your mother not to have to share the bathroom with you & your H but that's not how it works for most people - the vast majority has to share. Just make sure you're all considerate, clean & tidy and it will be fine.

IntermittentParps · 09/12/2020 12:35

Does half this website live in some sort of multi bathroomed, en suite ridden lap of luxury? How can "can three adults share a bathroom" be a question that needs answering?

I know! I share with two other adults (DP and the current in a small succession of lodgers). It doesn't occur to me that it might be an issue.

UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme · 09/12/2020 12:35

Some MN posters need to do an online food hygiene certificate ... Why are you all getting food poisoning? Its a resonable expectation to never get food poisoning, or experience it once on a holiday/ backpacking trip to a far flung destination...

UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme · 09/12/2020 12:36

*reasonable

MikeUniformMike · 09/12/2020 12:37

Put a Portaloo in the garden.

jomaIone · 09/12/2020 12:42

Bloody hell how often have people got an upset stomach??

TwoBlueFish · 09/12/2020 13:01

My sister lived with us for several months and I also have DS’s aged 16 & 17, so really 5 adults. We have 1 full bathroom and a downstairs loo, it was fine. A little wait sometimes for a shower but manageable.

eddiemairswife · 09/12/2020 13:02

Provide a potty under each bed.

daisypond · 09/12/2020 13:06

What? It’s normal. There are five adults in my household alone and we only have one bathroom and no separate loo. Two of my three children (all grown up) are students, so admittedly not here all the time, but were until they went to university. And when we have guests stay, there are even more adults here.

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