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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Moving house with pre-teens

3 replies

SilverDub · 13/02/2025 20:59

We are very lucky to have recently come into some money, but are trying to use it to move house in our area for more space. We have 4 kids aged 6, 8, 10, 12 sharing 2 bedrooms and only 1 bathroom in the current house. We potentially could convert our attic and garage into 2 more bedrooms, so everyone gets their own room, but we're hoping to find a better house overall, with bigger garden, extra bathrooms etc.

We've seen a couple of houses we like, but they all have compromises. My question is do we move further out to get a 5 bed with big back garden, further from schools, further from bus routes etc.

Or go for a 4 bed (bigger overall than our current house, but 2 kids would still have to share) that's close to lots of bus routes etc.

I'm really hoping the kids will start getting around themselves in the next few years as I'm tired of being a taxi driver. Husband says they can cycle from the further-out house, but I can just see them being lazy teenagers that will just beg for lifts if it involves any effort on their part. (basing this on my brother as a teen!!) And I'll be the one stuck giving the lifts.

Or maybe we just stay where we are and do the work on attic and garage to avoid the upheaval of a move for the kids...even though we can afford to move and I'd like a better area (they won't move school though). Im just quite worried about moving my 12 year old as he hates change and I had a traumatic house move myself as an 11 year old.

Are teens ok with sharing, or do they need their own rooms? Kids are 2 boys and 2 girls. Do teens need a big garden or is it only younger kids?

Sorry, a lot of questions, I'd appreciate any views anyone has. We have looked at so many houses, prices are rising, and we're going around in circles here, feel like I'm going mad over thinking it all. 😂

OP posts:
BatInATopHat · 13/02/2025 21:09

They seem a little young for you to already be thinking about them getting around themselves in a few years! They're all 12 and under! Yes to the 12 year old but your 6, 8 and 10 year olds are categorically not pre teens ...but then, in the type of parent who does lots of lifts as I view it as part and parcel

I'd move to the property which would give them all their own room

SilverDub · 13/02/2025 21:17

I know in terms of when my family moved, I was able to walk to school on my own from 11 onwards, and once I was 13 I went everywhere myself, including into town on buses alone or with friends. So that's really not too far off.

OP posts:
socks1107 · 13/02/2025 21:31

We moved out and although it's really worked out now I think my eldest felt very cut off suddenly. It wasn't easy to get to friends and I became taxi for that and Saturday jobs. The train station that is spitting distance from the house is great for them now as it's fast into London but at younger age with no buses they felt isolated. Friends were difficult to get too and during Covid when friends met up for a walk they couldn't get there.
Both daughters have learnt to drive and love it mostly now but at a younger age my eldest was quite angry for a while

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