Parenting Forums - View Single Post - Brother and Sister sleeping in the same room?

GilbertDaddy · 05-19-2008, 05:24 PM

As a full-time single dad, money gets tight.

My lease is ending on our big 5 bedroom and I'm bleeding cash I don't have. My daycare costs are going up due to summer break and I don't see myself affording a 4 bedroom.

It's only about $200/month more for the 4bedroom, but I'm already a couple hundred in the red depending on side income that may or may not come in. I can't really justify the 4 bedroom if I can save 200+ a month in heating/cooling + rent.

I have a family member living with us right now (she's elderly and disabled) who is supposed to be moving out, but I don't see how her income will allow it - so I'm assuming she's coming with as I move again.

In the smaller 3 bedroom, that means the kids will have to share a room.

They've done so before last year when my ex left the state and I only had my 1 bedroom apt. But I like the idea of them having their own rooms.

In the apartment they were a year or two younger (DD will be 7 in August and my son will be 4 in Nov.).

Currently the rooms are only used for sleeping - the three of us spend every waking minute together, so I'm not worried about the room being cramped. They prefer to be around me than alone in their rooms anywho.

I personally can't come up with any REAL reason why they can't share a bunkbed my ex's mom is giving me (used 3 times in 3 years - it's brand new).

I have about a year before I'm 100% debt-free again so the smaller house would keep me in the black while I do this on my own (ex can't afford child support).

If they were both the same sex I wouldn't have a problem, but I still am just not quite "sure" about it. My daughter doesn't mind because she loves her brother and loves the idea of being in the top bunk. My son loves his sister so he'd be rooming with his best friend.

After this next lease is up, I can buy a house, and the market is going to allow me to get a 4 bedroom next time, so it's only for a year.

What would you guys/gals do?

Ideally, if it's just us 3 and the family member can find somewhere else to live, it's not a problem. But I'm planning for the worst and hoping for the best.

I've read quite a bit from siblings who shared a room growing up and they mostly seemed to agree it gave them a chance to bond that they might normally have. In other countries, entire families share rooms, but in the US, we seem to have a certain aversion to it.

I'm thinking since it's only for a year.. it could be fun and a great way to save money for the more important things like daycare, food, rent, and bills.

thoughts?

05-19-2008, 05:24 PM
GilbertDaddy PF Regular Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Gilbert, Arizona Posts: 29 Rep Power: 0 Reputation: 412 Children: 6yr old Daughter and 3 year old Son	Brother and Sister sleeping in the same room? As a full-time single dad, money gets tight. My lease is ending on our big 5 bedroom and I'm bleeding cash I don't have. My daycare costs are going up due to summer break and I don't see myself affording a 4 bedroom. It's only about $200/month more for the 4bedroom, but I'm already a couple hundred in the red depending on side income that may or may not come in. I can't really justify the 4 bedroom if I can save 200+ a month in heating/cooling + rent. I have a family member living with us right now (she's elderly and disabled) who is supposed to be moving out, but I don't see how her income will allow it - so I'm assuming she's coming with as I move again. In the smaller 3 bedroom, that means the kids will have to share a room. They've done so before last year when my ex left the state and I only had my 1 bedroom apt. But I like the idea of them having their own rooms. In the apartment they were a year or two younger (DD will be 7 in August and my son will be 4 in Nov.). Currently the rooms are only used for sleeping - the three of us spend every waking minute together, so I'm not worried about the room being cramped. They prefer to be around me than alone in their rooms anywho. I personally can't come up with any REAL reason why they can't share a bunkbed my ex's mom is giving me (used 3 times in 3 years - it's brand new). I have about a year before I'm 100% debt-free again so the smaller house would keep me in the black while I do this on my own (ex can't afford child support). If they were both the same sex I wouldn't have a problem, but I still am just not quite "sure" about it. My daughter doesn't mind because she loves her brother and loves the idea of being in the top bunk. My son loves his sister so he'd be rooming with his best friend. After this next lease is up, I can buy a house, and the market is going to allow me to get a 4 bedroom next time, so it's only for a year. What would you guys/gals do? Ideally, if it's just us 3 and the family member can find somewhere else to live, it's not a problem. But I'm planning for the worst and hoping for the best. I've read quite a bit from siblings who shared a room growing up and they mostly seemed to agree it gave them a chance to bond that they might normally have. In other countries, entire families share rooms, but in the US, we seem to have a certain aversion to it. I'm thinking since it's only for a year.. it could be fun and a great way to save money for the more important things like daycare, food, rent, and bills. thoughts? Last edited by GilbertDaddy; 05-19-2008 at 05:27 PM..