Sharing a room w/opposite sex?

agytay · November 2012

For those with kids of both sex, what has your experience been with room sharing? How long do you plan to keep this setup? Did anyone grow up sharing a room with a brother, and if so how long did you share?

We will have a boy/girl combo 2 years apart and currently live in a 2 bedroom. I am sure that sharing is fine in the younger years, but not sure about the older years. We really like our space and don't necessarily want to move. But the options would be to add on a room at some point or move. Just wanted to see what other people's experiences were like.

ladybugpjb · November 2012

My brother and I (17mo apart) shared a room off and on until I was 8 and he was 9 (so 3rd/4th grade). We moved a lot, and shared a room if we were in a two bedroom.

It wasn't that big of a deal, and we could play fun games together since we shared a room. But I'm glad we didn't share one longer than that. We had our arguments and our imaginary line down the middle of the room, but usually got along pretty well.

agytay · November 2012

krptcmschfmkr128:
Look into the laws in your area. I know in some places, there are actually legal stipulations on how long kids of the opposite sex can share a room.

Really? That's surprising, but good to know. I never heard of this but will definitely look into it.

My sister and I, 4 years apart, shared a room until she left for college. We too had our disagreements and imaginary lines, but it wasn't unbearable.

mben1119 · November 2012

Growing up, my brother and I shared a room when we were like 5 and 3, for about a year. We moved a lot though. I remember it, and it wasn't weird. We would also share a bed when we were sick, until I was like 8 or 9, and he was 6. It was a comfort thing, I think.

MammaBear81 · November 2012

Right now all the kids share a room (2 girls 3 boys) and they love it. I know it won't last forever, but it was easier to turn one of the bedrooms into a walking closet/dressing room for all the kids then try to fit all of their clothes in their rooms (think 1950's house with TINY closets).

We are planning on an addition and then everyone can have their own room, but even if we don't when the oldest turns 10ish, I'd assume that's when we should split them back up. By then everyone will be in school so we won't have an au pair anymore and we will free up that bedroom as well.

AimeeL85 · November 2012

I shared a room with my brother until I was 8 and he was 10 and we were fine with it. Of course we wanted our own rooms, but I'm sure it would have been that way even if we were two sisters or two brothers.

luvmyducks · November 2012

krptcmschfmkr128:
Look into the laws in your area. I know in some places, there are actually legal stipulations on how long kids of the opposite sex can share a room.

I think that is mostly for foster homes. Most states to my knowledge do not have any laws against this.

lisamoe · November 2012

I'm interested in this, we have a 2 bed up and 2 down, but we don't want little kids on a different floor than us(so young), so it really limits us. We plan on having our new one share a room with DS, regardless of gender at least for a little while.

It will be interesting to see all the responses.

kristennd · November 2012

My younger brother and I shared a room until I was 12. It was a non-issue.

ladybugpjb · November 2012

I did some googling on the legality of it, and I can only find references to rules regarding foster children.

katiewhompus · November 2012

My only concern, which would apply even if the sibs were same sex, would be noise levels and everyone being able to sleep. A infant and a toddler seem like they would be waking each other often.

skio · November 2012

DD and this LO, arriving in June, will share a room for a couple years regardless of sex. We won't be able to buy a larger house for approximately three years.

I have zero qualms about it, other than worrying that one will wake the other up. But the new baby will be in our room until he/she is sleeping a good 8 hour chunk and DD sleeps like a teenager, so I'm sure they'll adjust. You gotta deal with the cards dealt to you sometimes, and we don't have any other options.

I shared a room with my brother, who is two years older than me, until we were 8 and 10. We didn't burst into flames because of it.

katie4253 · November 2012

This usually just applies if people are accepting public assistance. Specifically regarding housing. Also, foster children.

krptcmschfmkr128:
Look into the laws in your area. I know in some places, there are actually legal stipulations on how long kids of the opposite sex can share a room.

covertxxamour · November 2012

My brother and I are two years apart, and we shared a room until we were about 8 and 10. We wanted our own rooms, but it wasn't financially possible until that time. DD and this LO, which is a boy, will share a room for a while. I'm worried about him waking DD up when he cries, but we are hoping to move soon.

preggersin2011 · November 2012

My friend has two brother and grew up in a 2 bedroom town home. They all left to go to college still sharing a room at their parent's house.

momofmanyinthemitten · November 2012

I shared a room with my brothers (2.5 yrs younger and 7 yrs younger) for about a year when I was in elementary school while we were renovating our house. It was NBD for me or them, but we were easy going kids. I had a friend who shared her room with her brother until about 3rd/4th grade. He was also 2.5 yrs younger than her.

DawnJM25 · November 2012

I'm surprised at so many people who shared a room with the opposite sex. I understand if your house only has so many bedrooms it may be a necessity for kids to share a room, but I personally don't think I'd put a boy and girl in the same room if I had a choice.

skio · November 2012

DawnJM25:
I'm surprised at so many people who shared a room with the opposite sex. I understand if your house only has so many bedrooms it may be a necessity for kids to share a room, but I personally don't think I'd put a boy and girl in the same room if I had a choice.

Why? Honestly curious.

NewFamily09 · November 2012

I don't think I'd do it past the age of 4 or 5. Kids start to get pretty curious around that time and although kids don't mean to do any harm, one of them could be pretty uncomfortable with the idea.

agytay · November 2012

NewFamily09:
I don't think I'd do it past the age of 4 or 5. Kids start to get pretty curious around that time and although kids don't mean to do any harm, one of them could be pretty uncomfortable with the idea.

I'm curious....how is this any different than them playing together in the same room during the day? Are you saying, that night is a factor?

olechka · November 2012

My brother and I are almost 2 years appart, I had to share a room with my brother until 14, we lived in a 2 bedroom appartment so had no choice. It wasn't weird, obviously we didn't change in front of each other or didn't do anything weird, I don't remember it being a big deal although maybe it would've been for him. But i also grew up in a different country where most people lived in tiny appartments, not houses like we have now; when we were younger (i think until i was 5), we all lived at my grandma's 2 bedroom appartnment: grandpa & grandma in one room and mom, dad, me and brother in another, and it sucked for the adults i'm sure pretty bad.

mben1119 · November 2012

DawnJM25:
I'm surprised at so many people who shared a room with the opposite sex.nbsp; I understand if your house only has so many bedrooms it may be anbsp;necessity for kids to share a room, but I personally don't think I'd put a boy and girl in the same room if I had a choice.nbsp;

Why? They're just sleeping.

MrsGoodkat · November 2012

I shared with my brother (2 years younger) until I was about 9.

MammaBear81 · November 2012

mabenner1:
DawnJM25:
I'm surprised at so many people who shared a room with the opposite sex.nbsp; I understand if your house only has so many bedrooms it may be anbsp;necessity for kids to share a room, but I personally don't think I'd put a boy and girl in the same room if I had a choice.nbsp;
Why? They're just sleeping.

Yes, why does it matter where you sleep? We have a huge play room, should I spit that into two and make a "boys" playroom and a "girls" play room as well?

I guess I should add that my kids still take a bath together too. They know the proper terms for boy and girl private parts, and they understand that's exactly what they are "private" and you don't touch, or talk about anyone elses (nor should anyone touch theirs). I guess I'd rather take out the "mystery" of the opposite sex.

molisar · November 2012

My brother and I (21 months apart) shared a room next to my parents until we got comfortable with sleeping on the 1st floor. I specifically remember around 1st grade (6 yrs old) I wanted my own bedroom, so my parents moved us downstairs.

I liked sharing a room with my brother - we had a big old house and I for sure would have been scared to have my own room before that

Want a personalized experience?

Sharing a room w/opposite sex?

Re: Sharing a room w/opposite sex?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards