I think there are lots of ways to handle and PPs have covered the major points. But one thing I want to flag:

Careful of the precedent you set regarding your oldest "wanting privacy". Think critically about what it means to say she gets her own room because she's older and needs privacy. Your younger children, specifically the middle kid, will take that very seriously. And if you are not also able to give him "privacy" at the same age, you might be setting yourself up for problems. You don't have to always treat your kids the same, but when you have more than two, you need to be careful not to treat them differently specifically because of their birth order. Especially with 3 kids, because you will fall into the trap of giving the oldest certain leeway because she's the oldest, and the youngest certain leeway because they are the youngest, and your middle kid will literally get lost in the middle.

I guess what I'm saying is that when you explain this to your kids, explain it as a solution to the present situation, and explain it can be revisited if it doesn't work. But don't fall into the trap of saying "Well Larla needs her own room because she's 8 now" or "well it's easier for little kids to share a room" etc. Your kids will not be this age forever. Don't pin them into birth order roles that could cause problems later when your middle child is no longer a sweet 3 yr old. When he's 10 and saying "So I had to share a room with my older sister for years, and then she needed privacy so I have to share one with my younger sibling for years... when do my needs matter?" This sort of thing happens all the time and it's why middle kids can struggle sometimes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in a 2 bedroom apartment as do millions of families in this country. Some people must be out of the loop, despite claiming to be so "woke." Girl / boy are 8 and 5 and will share a room until girl is 12. We are saving for a 3-BR apartment or a house.

Jeez louise. My mom and her younger sister shared not only a room but a bed until my mom moved out at 21 and got married.

I now understand when people say others are living in a bubble.

You have “issues” or at minimum poor reading comprehension.

Typical DCUM response. If someone doesn't agree with you they insult you. Liberals do this all the time with the "racist" accusations. Even if you are just disagreeing about pizza.

kids do not meed their own room. You are part of a family.

Own rooms happen in adulthood when you rent your first apartment.