Leave a Message

Thank you for your message. We will be in touch with you shortly.

Do you think it's a good idea to have siblings share a room?

siblings RISMedia February 1, 2024

Are you considering having your children share a bedroom? Maybe your current place or new home you’re looking at doesn’t have a lot of room, or maybe you want to save space for other purposes. Like with most decisions, there are both pros and cons for you to weigh:

Pros

More Space Options: Having kids bunk together could free up space to use as a playroom, office or guest room. If you plan on having another child within the next year or so, you could also turn the extra room into a nursery when the time comes.

Sharing: All parents try to teach their children about sharing, and when kids live in the same room, they are encouraged to not only learn how to share a space, but also how to share each other’s toys and other items. The experience could also help prepare children to share space when they have roommates at summer camp or later in college.

Bonding: Living in the same room could inspire siblings to spend more time together and become a team. If your children are young, you might walk in to find them reading a book together. If they’re older, they might confide in their sibling or console each other when something bad happens, thus building a stronger bond.

Sleep: Young children tend to sleep better and feel more secure knowing there’s a sibling next to them in the room, especially if one of your kids is afraid of the dark. This could mean fewer late nights getting up to check closets for the Boogeyman or sleeping in a crowded bed with your child. Also, older children might go to bed–or at least quiet down–quicker if their sibling is an early sleeper.

Cons

Sickness: It’s difficult enough to keep everyone in the family from catching a member’s cold or flu, but it is nearly impossible to prevent siblings who share a room from getting each other sick.

Privacy Issues: Children have little to no privacy when sharing a room, which could lead to frustration and feelings of rejection. Even if siblings enjoy spending time together, that doesn’t mean they’ll want to include each other when it comes to having playdates or sleepovers with friends. Many older children, especially teenagers, also crave privacy and independence.

Clutter: A messy room is bound to be twice as bad when you’ve got two kids throwing clothes and other items around. If your home doesn’t have a separate playroom, a shared bedroom can get cluttered with toys fast. Furthermore, kids’ piles of stuff and necessary furniture tend to get bigger as they get older; the room, however, stays the same size.

Fights: Siblings naturally fight from time to time, but living in a confined space together might intensify or spur more arguments, especially if the kids’ personalities are polar opposites. When sharing a room, children won’t have their own rooms to escape to and cool off.

Decision
Some people believe it’s beneficial for siblings to room together, while some claim it only works when the kids are of the same sex or similar in age. Conversely, others suggest it’s best to give siblings their own rooms whenever possible.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what’s best for your family and circumstances.


Recent Blog Posts

Stay up to date on the latest real estate trends.

What to Look for During a Winter Home Inspection

If you plan to offer a home this winter, you may have an advantage during the home inspection. The home inspector will be able to assess winter-related house issues wh… Read more

security

Home Security Tips as Daylight Hours Decrease

As the days become shorter and the sun sets in the late afternoon, homes can lose the sense of security that the daylight hours provide. However, adding the necessary … Read more

renovations

Home Renovation Projects to Tackle This Winter 🛠️❄️

Winter might not be the first season that comes to mind for home renovations, but there are actually several projects that are perfect to start during the colder month… Read more

flooring

Should You Replace Your Carpet with Tile Flooring? 🏠✨

Is your carpet looking a little worse for wear after years of foot traffic, pet stains, and spills? If you’re thinking about replacing it, consider whether tile might … Read more

inlaw suite

How to Design a Safe In-Law Apartment for Your Aging Parent 🏡👵👴

As our population ages, many adult children are welcoming their elderly parents into their homes. Not only does this multigenerational living arrangement offer more ti… Read more

electricity

Common Misconceptions About Electricity Usage (And How to Save Money!) ⚡💡

Did you know that many homeowners are unknowingly wasting electricity? Whether it’s due to misconceptions or simply not understanding how energy consumption works, a f… Read more

New Home

Preparing Your New Home for the Holidays

If this is your first holiday season in a new home, you may start decorating with a blank slate. Whether you’ve brought your decorations from years past or you’re star… Read more

credit

Why It Can Be a Good Idea to Keep a Credit Card That You Seldom Use

If you want to simplify your finances and you have a credit card that you rarely use, you might think it would make sense to close the account. Before you make that m… Read more

Home buying tips

Holiday Season Homebuying Tips

If you are in a position where you need to buy a new home over the holiday season, it can be a tremendously busy time to navigate. Homebuying can be stressful no matte… Read more

Work With Us