Running out of room, want some opinions

emw8910 · February 2014

I'm running out of room in my house! I just wanted some opinions on what you might do in this situation.

My husband and I have 3 children right now, he has a DD from a previous relationship and we have 2 DDs together. Now were expecting DS in July.

Here is my dilemma: we live in a 3 bedroom house, we rent but have an awesome landlord and have planned to buy from him in about 2 years when we're able to save our down payment and what nots, which he is all for. Moving to a bigger place is just not an option right now.

Right now, my SD, who is 6, and DD1 (who is 3) share a room and DD2 (who is 1) has a nursery. We get SD every other weekend, Monday afternoons, 3 separate weeks out of a year and extra time here and there.

I have no clue what to do with DS! I would never consider putting a child in a room with a newborn and DD2s room is a little too small to share anyway. But my and DHs room is on the small side as well, if I am actually able to fit a crib in our room, we'll barely be to walk in it.

The room my SD and DD1 share is a decent size and the only thing I can think of is to put the 3 girls in one room and let DS have the nursery. I could fit her crib in there and it would be a little tight but they'd still have plenty of room to play. The older girls have bunk beds against the wall. I just hate to do that bc DD2 will only be 18 months when DS is born.

This turned out longer than I thought it would be so thank you very much if you got through it all!

alyssa719 · February 2014

I would put the three together (at least for now) unless you have an extra room (or even a dining room) you'd be willing to sacrifice. Here's my thinking: Your step-daughter isn't there most of the time, so it would be just the 18month old and 3.5 year old in the room together for most of it.

The other option risks having the 18m be woken up repeatedly throughout the night when you go to do feedings and whatnot, so she would need to adapt to a baby's schedule.

Or, you wouldn't be able to walk in your room for a while (unless I think you had a pack and play which is smaller, or used a rock and play).. I think a lot of ladies on here have baby sleep in their room for around the first 3-6 months and then transition into their own rooms.

sxymamakat · February 2014

I agree with @alyssa719 about combining all three, especially since your SD won't be there all the time. That said, depending on the layout, you could put a PNP in your room or another room and skip the crib for the time being. Is there any way to rearrange your room for more space?

pfeilele · February 2014

I'd put the three girls in one room. You can do a bunk with a trundle or a full on the bottom once the crib is gone. I think it's odd to have a boy and a girl share a room after a certain age (probably because I'm an only child) and in some places I *think* it's illegal beyond a certain age so you'll have to think about that.

Growing up, one of my friends shared a room with her two sisters. At one house there were three twin beds in a row. In another house, two shared a full bottom bunk and the older one was on the top twin. Totally doable, and they are all really close now!

emw8910 · February 2014

Thanks ladies! You all pretty much have the same thought process as I do. Eventually we will have a bigger place, just not before DS is here. It's possible to do a PNP or rock and play in our room but crib is almost impossible. I'm thinking putting the girls together is going to be our best option. My DH isn't too keen on the idea yet but he gets up at 4am for work and is really not keen on DS in our room lol

TallMomma29 · February 2014

My SIL currently has 3 of 4 kids in one room. They have 2 sets of bunk beds in there (ultimately planning to move the 4th in there as well), and even with the extra beds the two girls (7 and 4) still prefer to sleep together, and it's never been an issue so far. I totally think 3 girls in one room (especially with one gone a lot) is totally workable!

lowerygirl · February 2014

funnibunni80 said:
If it was me, I think I would move DD2 in with DD1. Since she and SD have bunk beds, I'd transition DD2 into a toddler bed to save on space. (Big girl bed for the big girl room!) Then DS will have the nursery, AND you don't have to buy another crib.

My kids transitioned to toddler beds at 18 months, but I have read that if that's the plan for a new sibling's arrival, it ought to be done well in advance if delivery so too many changes aren't being made at once, and they don't feel they are being "ousted" for the new arrival.

Good luck!

This. I agree with every word here. Hope you find a solution!

bewilderingstar · February 2014

Do you have any spare rooms? Like a dining room?

Otherwise I agree with PPs and put all three girls in one room. It'll be a tight squeeze but until you get a bigger home there is nothing you can really do about it. You can have DS in your room for a while anyways to help transition in the girls.

allardr · February 2014

I'm in a somewhat similar situation though on a smaller scale. If DH's job doesn't move us before this LO is born we're in a 2bedroom small place and don't know where to put LO. I'm leaning towards crowding our room. I'll try to fit the crib because I loved doing crib from day one with DD. I think I'd rather sacrifice my nightstand and some walking room than disrupt others sleep.

Maybe crowd your room for the first few months then when DD is a little older put her in with the other girls. With SD not there all the time I think in the long term that should be fine. But if you don't want to switch her so young this would buy you some time.

abchittam · February 2014

I would leave it how it is for now, put a rock n play in your room. start training DD3 for a toddler bed once DS is born and transfer her to the room with the other girls once you are ready to move DS.

Fletch82 · February 2014

If the room is large enough I agree with putting all three girls together.

Two of my sisters and I were about the same age as your girls when our youngest sister was born and the three of us shared a room for a few years with no issue.

ghostof5letters · February 2014

Cribs are really big, and unnecessary pieces of furniture in the beginning. I'd avoid a full size crib at all costs by utilizing a PnP (even a travel size) or RnP in the beginning and eventually moving up to a PnP.

You got this.

eortman · February 2014

I would definately put the 3 girls in together. You can always change arrangements when the baby and your youngest daughter get a little bigger. At some point maybe you could put bunk beds in the little room, too, and that could be the big girls room (since SD isn't always with you)? I would not even consider putting an 18 month old in a bunk bed, nor would I put a 3 year old on the top bunk. For now, I would go with the 3 girls together.

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