kids sharing a room

beenbizzy

We are looking at a house that has master + 2 bedrooms.  We have three kids, so our boys (currently 7, 2) would share.  In our opinion, the sharing bedroom is plenty of space for two twin beds on the floor, or stacked as bunk beds, dressers and closet space.  This is a long term house for us so we don't plan on moving before our kids are grown so they will share until the 7 year graduates/moves out.  We don't see any immediate ways to remodel or add on for an additional bedroom, but could be a possibility in a few years.  

What are your feelings about kids sharing a room?  Pros or cons for us to consider?  DH and I both shared with a sibling for a few years growing up but it seems most families want a room for each kid.  A friend of mine thinks we are crazy for even considering it because of this.  We love everything else about this house.  

englishtrish1

I think the 7 and 2 year old sharing a room is a problem, I think a teenager sharing with a 10 year old is a bigger one.
I don't particularly believe every kid needs their own room, but I think the age difference is big enough to make for a lot of problems as the older boy hits puberty.

short+sassy

I shared a room with my sister when we were in elementary school.  There is a 3 1/2 year difference.  We didn't have any problems sharing at room at those younger ages.

But about when I hit jr. high, my parents turned the house's guest bedroom into my bedroom.  I think it would have really been a bummer as teenagers to have shared a room with my sister.  With all that said, if an extra bedroom hadn't been available, my sister and I would have just had to deal with it.

I think it is very preferable for teenagers to have their own room, but it is not the end of the world if they don't.  With the house you like, are there any possibilities of putting on an addition or turning an attic/basement into a bedroom?  That could be something you can work on over time.

housewifehobbyist

I shared a room with my sister (2 years younger) until I was 13.  I'm a big introvert and not having a "safe space" that I could be alone in caused a lot of extra stress, anxiety, infighting, and acting out.  Given my experience, I would say consider the personalities of your sons as well.

MommyLiberty5013

We have three kiddos too. 2 boys and a girl. Our boys are 3 years apart (and they share a room). Here are my thoughts...up until a few decades ago, both smaller homes and kids sleeping in the same rooms (sometimes the same beds!) was very common by gender. The only thing that has changed this is the "bigger, better" lifestyle of Americans. I wouldn't sweat it. Your kids will be fine. And, they will develop as buddies too. The age different just may be enough to have a neat bond between them.

I would however, invest in the type of bunk beds that have the beds up and the desk/dresser underneath. This can open the floor space for other things like toys and shelves. Each boy needs to have his own zone. No shared shelves, dressers, or desks.

simplyelise

I shared a room with my sister until I was 12 and she was 16. My dad had been running a business out of our house and had an office in our mostly unfinished basement. My brother moved down there when he was 18 then I took over that room when he left for college the next year. And for the record, we're all very close. We did, however, also have that whole unfinished basement as a nice escape location. 

I don't think there is any problem with it and I think it's probably even easier for boys to share in my experience. I think that as with any family situation, you'll have to figure it out as you go along. Maybe when the older boy hits high school, you make sure he has quiet time in his room or elsewhere to do homework without his little bro being in the way. 

I agree with @mommyliberty5013 about this bigger better competition many of us feel. I didn't grow up knowing "guest bedrooms" were a thing, but many people consider it mandatory that they have enough bedrooms for one for each kid AND a guest BR. It's certainly not crazy to consider the house. You know your family.

Knottie41058335

My best friend is one of eight children. Her family lived in a three bedroom house (which was quite cramped, as you can imagine). The 4 girls all shared a room and the 4 boys shared a room. It definitely had ups and downs (a 16yr old sharing a room with a 6yr old will obviously have issues).

While I wasn't one of the siblings, I may as well have been considering I was always there. I think sharing a bedroom actually brought the siblings closer.

While I wouldn't ever want to stick four kids in a room together like that, I don't think two kids of the same gender is an issue. Houses are super expensive where I live, so my future children may end up sharing a room.

jeanhoward97

I had shared my room with my sister having an age difference of 4 years. We never had any issues. I feel that it will be always positive to keep your children together. By sharing rooms they may share their thoughts, things and many things. It will lead them to maturity.