Family of 8 in 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment

[Anonymous]

DD has a friend with 5 other siblings. They’re very close and the friend is incredibly sweet and mature. We do play dates mostly at our house because the friend mentioned her apartment was small and that she shared a room with her siblings. I assumed she shared a room with a few of the other girls. Turns out it’s a 900 square foot apartment. The 5 oldest (4 girls aged 11-5 and one boy 3) share a bedroom while the parents and infant share another. I do not know how this works. I’ve always felt guilty for making my girls share a room, can’t kmafine 5 kids of mixed genders in a room. Also, ONE bathroom for EIGHT people. What happens when a stomach bug hits the house!

The oddest part is I don’t think it’s a financial thing. They live in a luxary apartment that’s easily twice our mortgage. I know both parents work in downtown and have high paying jobs. Why would they do this? The 4 school aged children all attend private school with DD. I can’t imagine doing this unless forced.

[Anonymous]

We live in a small house and like it. Easy to keep track of the kids.

[Anonymous]

The three of us lived in a 1bd because exH and I just couldn’t agree on where to move! Now it’s myself and kid and we don’t really need more.
Maybe they cannot decide where to move or are just kind of stuck in their routine or maybe they use it as an excuse to not have anyone over... people are weird.

[Anonymous]

Growing up I had a friend from a very catholic family with 9 children and 4 girls shared a room (2 sets of bunk beds). They were very close (still are)! Eventually the family expanded part of the house but it was like this even into junior high, and my friend’s sisters were all older than her. A slightly bigger home than what you’ve described, but I don’t see why you care so much. It works for people.

[Anonymous]

Well, I guess the family of 5 I know in a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom isn't so bad then.

[Anonymous]

I’m with you, OP.

We had our 3rd while still living in a 2 bedroom apartment. I couldn’t wait to get to a bigger space. We didn’t last long and moved to a house by the time the baby was 6 months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD has a friend with 5 other siblings. They’re very close and the friend is incredibly sweet and mature. We do play dates mostly at our house because the friend mentioned her apartment was small and that she shared a room with her siblings. I assumed she shared a room with a few of the other girls. Turns out it’s a 900 square foot apartment. The 5 oldest (4 girls aged 11-5 and one boy 3) share a bedroom while the parents and infant share another. I do not know how this works. I’ve always felt guilty for making my girls share a room, can’t kmafine 5 kids of mixed genders in a room. Also, ONE bathroom for EIGHT people. What happens when a stomach bug hits the house!

The oddest part is I don’t think it’s a financial thing. They live in a luxary apartment that’s easily twice our mortgage. I know both parents work in downtown and have high paying jobs. Why would they do this? The 4 school aged children all attend private school with DD. I can’t imagine doing this unless forced.

If their luxury apartment is 900 sqft and twitch your mortgage you probably live as far out as Chantilly or Rockville and that's your answer. Some people can't stand a commute or the inconvenience of the burbs.

[Anonymous]

As a single person I enjoy a 800+ sq foot one bedroom/one bath condo that I rent from the owner. Plenty of space, washer dryer in the unit, big private patio, lovely pool.

My neighbors next door are a couple with a teenager and two young kids around 4 or 5. Their apartment is the same size as mine. Upstairs is a family of four, parents and two girls, one in CC and the other in HS. Theirs is also the same size as mine.

Baffles me how these families handle living with one bedroom and one bathroom for all those people. I will say this, they own their units and I rent.

[Anonymous]

When I first read your post, I assumed they were immigrants. Is that the case?

[Anonymous]

They’re living like animals. No rationale person would pump out a litter of six like some mindless beast knowing they couldn’t properly provide a suitable living environment.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in a 2 BR 1 BA house with three sisters (plus me) and two brothers. Me and my sisters shared one BR and my brothers shared the other. My parents slept on the pullout couch in the living room. It felt normal at the time but looking back it was insane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They’re living like animals. No rationale person would pump out a litter of six like some mindless beast knowing they couldn’t properly provide a suitable living environment.

Did you miss the part about how all of these kids are in private school?

I bet this family is wealthier than yours. They probably look down on you for spending your life in a car commuting to your house and never seeing your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Growing up I had a friend from a very catholic family with 9 children and 4 girls shared a room (2 sets of bunk beds). They were very close (still are)! Eventually the family expanded part of the house but it was like this even into junior high, and my friend’s sisters were all older than her. A slightly bigger home than what you’ve described, but I don’t see why you care so much. It works for people.

Same here. 9 kids in 3 bedroom row house with 1 bath. We are all normal and successful

[Anonymous]

Pretty sure there are occupancy rules that don’t allow this. Or is that just for renting?

[Anonymous]

Maybe they all get a ton of financial aid?