My two oldest will be ten in April and we have number 4 due in Jan. My husband sugested that we move the two oldest to the basement. Which is finished and has a private half bath room to it. Then we would move the computers to the upstairs bedroom and move the toys to some where. But is it to young for them to have there own room like that in the house? Any opion or adicve would be great. They would have access to the outside from the basment that we have talked about putting a chime on the door so that if it opens we will hear it. Then my daughter and the new one would move into the twins old room and then the little room would be the computer room. The house just seems small for the family to be growing. But life has not made it any easier to move into something bigger.
We have moved the boys the basment and they seem to enjoy it. It was a major move and then we had thanksgiving, lukly for me it was not at my house this year. Know we are trying to get them to keep the room picked up and making them make sure that they the to toliet papper and small things like that in their bathroom. Long way still to go. But they seem to like it.
You know your kids and your home best. I would go with your gut on this. If you think the shuffle would make your home run smoother and be more efficient use of space and your boys are mature enough to handle it--go for it!
I don't think I would be comfortable with my kids so far from me for many reasons - if they get sick in the middle of the night, if there is an emergency (intruder, fire) and to let them know I am still watching over them. When we were house hunting a few years ago, we had a few houses in mind that we loved except for the fact that the bedrooms were split between 2 floors so we crossed those houses off our list. Of course my kids are only 3 and 4 and I can't say if I will feel differently in 6 or 7 years, but my thought now would be to see how I can reconfigure the rest of the house and be able to sleep with my kids nearby.
I dont know how old the two oldest are, i know you said one is 10 - the other question i have - is your house a ranch or two story? reason being if its a ranch than having them in the basement is really no different than having a cape cod with them on the second floor - so that shouldn't be the issues. Also - my SIL ran into this with her kids - she also has four, they are currently: 14.5; 12, 5, 4 - and when the youngest was born they moved the two boys to the basement - and then they were 10 and 8 - they LOVE It - esepcialy now - i think its a great solution - my SIL has said its perfect b/c they are enough "older" than the other two that its good for them to get their own privacy and their own space -
i think it would be agreat idea - especially if they like the idea - turn the basement into their own space - and stop refering to it as the basement - start saying "downstairs" - ya know that way they dont feel like they are being "pushed" out ya know?
let us know what happens!
S. w.
Since you asked for opinions, I would think that they are a little young to have their bedroom in the basement. I like the idea of having all the kids in the same area. Perhaps when they are teenagers or close to teens, I would consider moving them downstairs. Also, are the computers going to remain in a neutral spot of the house where you can supervise the children and their computer activities (online)? I would also consider a plan of action in the event of a fire or other emergency. It's not a nice thought, but these things do happen and you have to be prepared. Best of luck to you. :)
This very much depends on your twins! twin boys - as I am sure you know - are more adventurous as a pair than they would be alone. Can they get out of the basement on their own? Can they escape for safety reasons? can they escape just to escape?
Ten is plenty old enough, but do your trust them? Not just for now, but for five years from now.
