Two bedroom home with teen and new baby

[Anonymous]

Unless the teen actively wants to move to the basement and views it as an upgrade (not just “doesn’t mind” doing so) you should let her keep her room and have the baby/toddler sleep with you until she departs for college.

Springing a baby sibling on a 16 is already a lot. She definitely shouldn’t have to give up her bedroom and the fact that you would even consider making her share a room with a one year old is absolutely crazy and really makes me question your judgment and your concern for her needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Currently living in a two bedroom home, and can’t afford to move right now so that’s not an option. I have an almost 16 year old and a baby on the way. Obviously the baby will be in the room with me for the first year, but I’m concerned on what to do afterwards. I have a basement with a full bathroom that could be used as another bedroom. My teen wouldn’t mind moving down there. My only concern in her being in the basement by the back door. Plus it’s extra cold down there in the winter. Then I thought about having the kids share a room since the teen will be off to college in a few years. What would you do in this situation?

Does the basement have a window that is large enough for a fireman, in full regalia, to get through the window? If not, it is illegal in VA to use as a bedroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Currently living in a two bedroom home, and can’t afford to move right now so that’s not an option. I have an almost 16 year old and a baby on the way. Obviously the baby will be in the room with me for the first year, but I’m concerned on what to do afterwards. I have a basement with a full bathroom that could be used as another bedroom. My teen wouldn’t mind moving down there. My only concern in her being in the basement by the back door. Plus it’s extra cold down there in the winter. Then I thought about having the kids share a room since the teen will be off to college in a few years. What would you do in this situation?

Does the basement have a window that is large enough for a fireman, in full regalia, to get through the window? If not, it is illegal in VA to use as a bedroom.

It does, and we’re in MD not VA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Currently living in a two bedroom home, and can’t afford to move right now so that’s not an option. I have an almost 16 year old and a baby on the way. Obviously the baby will be in the room with me for the first year, but I’m concerned on what to do afterwards. I have a basement with a full bathroom that could be used as another bedroom. My teen wouldn’t mind moving down there. My only concern in her being in the basement by the back door. Plus it’s extra cold down there in the winter. Then I thought about having the kids share a room since the teen will be off to college in a few years. What would you do in this situation?

Does the basement have a window that is large enough for a fireman, in full regalia, to get through the window? If not, it is illegal in VA to use as a bedroom.

It does, and we’re in MD not VA.

Makes no difference as fire regs are essentially the same in every state and the door must open to the outside. I worked in Construction permit division of local jurisdiction for several years.

[Anonymous]

If teen wants the basement I’d let her do that. But I’ll add we were in a two bedroom with baby number two (older DD was 4.5) and our second daughter slept in a crib in our room until age 2.5. She was a really good / easy sleeper and it wasn’t that bad.

[Anonymous]

Keep baby with you for 2-3 years until kid is off to college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Keep baby with you for 2-3 years until kid is off to college.

That's what I would do. No teen, but my kid (2.5) and I share a bedroom (technically a living room) and have since she was born - she will be about three when we will move to a new place (LCOL area) and then she will have her own room. It's been fine.

[Anonymous]

At age two can the toddler sleep in a walk in closet with the door open?

[Anonymous]

Basement is not safe or legal as a bedroom

[Anonymous]

OP, out of gentle curiosity -- why is your 16 yo and toddler sharing a room an option, but you don't want to share the room with the toddler? I think if you can articulate this it will help some of us understand your hesitancy. Because I am in camp "if you don't want to move the teen, share with the toddler", but I think I'm missing a part of your situation.

[Anonymous]

Is the basement a legal bedroom? E.g. the bedroom MUST have egress. Exterior door not in the room isn't enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Currently living in a two bedroom home, and can’t afford to move right now so that’s not an option. I have an almost 16 year old and a baby on the way. Obviously the baby will be in the room with me for the first year, but I’m concerned on what to do afterwards. I have a basement with a full bathroom that could be used as another bedroom. My teen wouldn’t mind moving down there. My only concern in her being in the basement by the back door. Plus it’s extra cold down there in the winter. Then I thought about having the kids share a room since the teen will be off to college in a few years. What would you do in this situation?

It's also way more than that now too. Full regalia, certain type of window, ladder to get up the window well and hard-wired smoke detectors.

Does the basement have a window that is large enough for a fireman, in full regalia, to get through the window? If not, it is illegal in VA to use as a bedroom.

[Anonymous]

Keep the baby with you. My youngest slept in our room in a crib and then a toddler bed until she was 4. It was fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Give your teen the basement, put an extra lock on the door.

That would be a fire hazard. Teens love the basement for bedrooms. She’ll be fine.

[Anonymous]

I would keep the baby with me until teen moves out. I'm paranoid and would not let teen be in another level of the house by herself.

My kid slept in the master bedroom with me until age 4.