Open plan living with kids

Finfintytint · 22/12/2020 12:02

We didn’t have open plan until DC left home for that very reason .
Is there a bedroom you could set the PlayStation up in?

reefedsail · 22/12/2020 12:05

We donated the separate study to DS for a gaming palace. Could they share a bedroom just for sleeping and have the other bedroom as a den?

DonkeyMcFluff · 22/12/2020 12:08

Send them upstairs to play in the bedroom.

BlueChampagne · 22/12/2020 12:10

We prefer to keep games out of bedrooms. Headphones for gamers?

Original poster

Misty9 · 22/12/2020 12:11

@Finfintytint

We didn’t have open plan until DC left home for that very reason

. Is there a bedroom you could set the PlayStation up in?

Oh no, please don't say that! 😭 I've never had an open plan house so didn't realise what I was doing.

I definitely don't want a TV in their bedroom, ds is challenging enough about the bloody ps4. There is a conservatory but the less said about that on mumsnet the better, I've learnt! And it's freezing at this time of year.

This is only going to get worse as they get older isn't it? Thankfully they spend half their time at their dad's too.

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Original poster

Misty9 · 22/12/2020 12:12

@BlueChampagne

We prefer to keep games out of bedrooms. Headphones for gamers?

He has headphones. But he likes to pretend he's a YouTuber and narrate his game... 😫

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Original poster

Misty9 · 22/12/2020 12:15

Ds tells me to go to my room but I don't want to do that as it's too reminiscent of house sharing - and I own this damn house!

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longhaulstress · 22/12/2020 12:18

I had this issue and ended up putting a tv in my room so ds could play it was a good halfway solution as it was still my space to control and can wander in and out to check on them but they're out of the downstairs main room!

Finfintytint · 22/12/2020 12:19

Could you limit their playing time to when you in the kitchen prepping a meal?

minipie · 22/12/2020 12:23

Could you put a wall across with double doors in the middle? It’s not that expensive a job.

The tricky bit can be changing the lights to be two circuits rather than one, but if it used to be two rooms and was knocked through then that may not be so hard as there should be two circuits there already.

I’d be inclined to put the PS4 in the conservatory though, provide some blankets... the cold might drive them off it quicker!

PotteringAlong · 22/12/2020 12:25

I would build a wall and make it less open plan!

reefedsail · 22/12/2020 12:31

I think we are going to need a diagram!

Is the kitchen big enough to create a nice snug for yourself?

reefedsail · 22/12/2020 12:32

I agree with PP about the conservatory though. Space heater and blankets- they'll be fine!

LindaEllen · 22/12/2020 12:44

Could you have a TV in your room that they can play the playstation on? That way it's not crossing the boundary of it being in their room, you get the living room to yourself, and they'd obviously be out of the way by the time you went to bed as they'd be in bed much earlier than you. Add in another rule that they're not allowed on it before they're up and dressed, and you won't get woken up, either!

Original poster

Misty9 · 22/12/2020 13:02

@LindaEllen

Could you have a TV in your room that they can play the playstation on? That way it's not crossing the boundary of it being in their room, you get the living room to yourself, and they'd obviously be out of the way by the time you went to bed as they'd be in bed much earlier than you. Add in another rule that they're not allowed on it before they're up and dressed, and you won't get woken up, either!

Ha, my boyfriend would bloody love a TV in my room! Ds often gets up and dressed before 7am because he thinks he'll get ps4 time that way...

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Original poster

Misty9 · 22/12/2020 13:04

@reefedsail

I think we are going to need a diagram!

Is the kitchen big enough to create a nice snug for yourself?

Here you go

It wasn't two rooms originally as the fireplace is in the middle of the wall opposite the main door. The floor plan doesn't show the alcoves either side of the chimney breast either.

I'll have a think about the conservatory I think. I doubt they'd mind the cold!

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Original poster

Misty9 · 22/12/2020 13:07

I'm creating a bench corner seat in the kitchen with ikea kallax, and the seat pads have literally just turned up. I've also ordered a comfy armchair.

I suppose it's the bigger issue of not being able to escape ds...he is likely autistic (like his diagnosed dad) and can be very noisy and challenging. I'll probably have to suck it up and use my bedroom...

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poorbuthappy · 22/12/2020 13:37

I'd be knocking through the kitchen diner to the conservatory end of the sitting room and blocking it up to make a smaller living room with the games consoles tv etc and then live in the extended room.
That's how we live and it works very well.

Original poster

Misty9 · 22/12/2020 13:55

@poorbuthappy

I'd be knocking through the kitchen diner to the conservatory end of the sitting room and blocking it up to make a smaller living room with the games consoles tv etc and then live in the extended room. That's how we live and it works very well.

This is what I've considered for the longer term but I've just spent 20k on renovating so can't afford it now. Good to know it's a viable option though

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poorbuthappy · 22/12/2020 14:27

It definitely works for us!
You could also move your dining area into the conservatory end of the sitting room and make another sitting room type space in the kitchen? All depends on room sizes obv.

MotherExtraordinaire · 22/12/2020 16:34

@Misty9

How do you do it? I've just moved into a 3 bed semi with my two dc, 6 and 9, and it's got a through lounge diner and separate medium sized kitchen. Half of the room is used for sofas and TV and the other end has a dining table and bookshelves. I'm finding that when the dc are playing on the ps4 I just don't want to be in there. So far I'm setting up a seating area in the kitchen, but how do other people organise such open plan spaces with kids - and keep your sanity?!

Not me, but most of my family have similar setups. One complains of similar. Generally, if its the older machine models that hum constantly that's hard to get over. But if just general volume, headphones? Or use it in bedrooms?

Hamsterthoughts · 22/12/2020 16:43

PS4 at very set times.

Before lunch for an hour
Before dinner for an hour

And that’s it. Timer on. Done. Any whinging, they lose the next slot!

Trenisenne · 22/12/2020 17:48

We have a v cold conservatory that we use for kids toys. Carpet down, space heaters and it's fine.