The Hilarity and Hurdles of Kids Sharing a Bedroom

One of the biggest benefits of buying our new house was the fact that all the kids would have their own room. We were renting a two-bedroom house previously and at that point, out of necessity, my two eldest (a boy and girl, nearly two years a part) were sharing a room while my youngest slept in my room.

Then we moved into the bigger house and the kids didn’t want to separate. They love sleeping in one room all together. I think it makes them feel safe and, in their short-lived lives, it is all that they know.

I know this topic often sparks heated debates. But let us all acknowledge that this is an extremely privileged viewpoint. A lot of families don’t have the luxury of choice.

Sometimes my kids nudge each other on. Bedtimes or wake-ups can be difficult with a party or a cage match happening in their room. My son will often wake up earlier than my daughter. He’ll be replaying scenes from the NRL grand final while she tries to sleep in.

Fights erupt if one is exhausted and the other is trying to start up a game. They have also taken it upon themselves to redecorate in there. The walls are full of small wall drawings and stickers. A creative activity that they at least spent enjoying each other's company.

For the most part, it works.

But I know there will come a day when they want to move apart. The differing genders, desire to have their own space and the age gap will get to them. The cracks are already beginning to show.

My son is turning six soon, in his first year of big school. Which has sadly resulted in a disconnection between him and my daughter. There are many layers to unpack there but mostly I think it is because they are in different stages of life. My daughter has moved closer to my youngest son who still goes to her day care, who idolises her and plays her make-believe games – under her strict instructions, of course.

However, whenever I ask them if it is time to move into separate rooms, they resist. They still have a strong bond, even it does waver.

So my question is, when did your kids move into separate rooms? Is it something you enforced or let them choose?