How Important Is It For Child To Have Their Own Room?

A Room of One's Own: How Important Is It For a Child?

July 28, 2010

The Bradys had six kids split into two rooms! Sharing a bedroom isn't all that uncommon. Some parents believe communal lairs teach their children to think outside of themselves, resolve conflicts, and adapt to other people's needs. Not to mention that great sibling conversations can be sparked in the dark! Other moms and dads think that youngsters should have their own space to organize their belongings, enjoy a good night's rest, and maintain a certain level of privacy. What do you think?

15 Comments

2 years 41 weeks

It probably depends mostly on the family's ability to provide each child with their own room, as well as the age of the children involved and their personalities. I recently separated from an abusive husband and had to move back in with my parents until I get back on my feet. For this transition, my son (7) and daughter (4) now share a room, though they each had their own room in our old house. There are advantages and disadvantages to both arrangements. As they get older, I will want to do everything possible to provide them with their own room for privacy, but for now there are things they actually enjoy about sharing a room, and I think it has helped strengthen their bond with each other.

2 years 41 weeks

If a child can have their own room then they should. It gives them more individuality. They can make the room their own and it's great for them to have a place to go for quiet time.

amber512 2 years 42 weeks

I never had to share a room with my brother and frankly, I'm thankful. I think at a certain age it becomes essential for girls and boys to have their own space. When I was a teen, I definitely wouldn't have wanted my little brother in my room!

2 years 42 weeks

I don't think there is anything wrong with young children sharing a room. My son is really only in there when hes sleeping, so there is no real reason why he would need his own room, which is why when his little brother arrives next month they will be sharing, at least for a few years. I do think that it becomes more important as they get older for kids to have their own space and a place they can call their own. I won't make my sons share a room once they are closer to being preteens, if we have the space.

DiamondSkies 2 years 42 weeks

Unless sharing a room is the only thing that can be done then I think that children should have their own space. I do however, think that young children can benefit from sharing a room. (until about 5-6)

2 years 42 weeks

My boys LOVE sharing a room. They're polar opposites (think Odd Couple), but they can't imagine being apart. Our bedroom sizes are fairly large, so that helps, and we have bunk beds so that they have more floor space to play.

2 years 42 weeks

Depends on if you have the space and your children's personalities. I shared a room with my sister (15mo apart) until I was 7 and we had a spare room as our 'play' room. My sister and I always fought...she threw tantrums when she wasn't the center of attention. So I finally got my own room and never looked back! Under 5 years, sure. As they get older give them their own room if you have one.

2 years 42 weeks

My kids share a room and at our new house there is an empty room right next to theirs but neither one of them can sleep without the other. There is crying when the other isn't there. I think sharing a room depends on the kids. My son and daughter are still young 5 and 2 and they choose to share. Of course all they do is sleep in there since they have a playroom and I like to foster a closeness with my family. We don't spend much time alone around here.

MissSushi 2 years 42 weeks

Seperate rooms if you can afford it is important when children are older, imo. I shared 75% of my life because we were a lower income family with 4 children, and a lot of the time it sucked. There were very few rewards for it, as most of us didn't get along at all. I was also an insomniac forced to lie in darkness for hours on end whenever I had to share a room.

lickety split 2 years 42 weeks

I like the idea of separate rooms. My girls will often choose to bunk together, for up to a couple of weeks at a time. But they like that they have their own space when needed. Especially my middle daughter. She likes her quiet time.

2 years 42 weeks

We bought our house with the intention of finishing the basement and added the two additional bedrooms we thought we needed... Two years later, we still have the kids double bunked into two bedrooms (4 and 8 year-old together and 12 and 15 year-old together.) They seem quite pleased with the arrangement and actually closer to their siblings, than a lot of their friends are to there siblings. In the end, we built a media room and hobby room instead of bedrooms, because they are two rooms that the whole family can use.

2 years 42 weeks

We have our kids share a room so that there's an extra for their own play area without having to be in the middle of the hubbub through the house. They do fine, and when they need time to themselves, they have plenty of spaces to go and close the door. And they each have a side they can decorate and maintain to their own liking. I think there's no right answer for all families, but as usual, there's no "other" option.

Girl Jen 2 years 42 weeks

I think a separate room for each child is a great idea, if the parents can comfortably afford it. If not, though, sharing a room teaches a lesson about living within one's means: Living in a small house and never going without food/clothing/the school trip that all the other kids are going on/etc. isn't really that bad.

psterling 2 years 42 weeks

I don't think its the end of the world if kids have to share a room but having your own room teaches a child about privacy and taking care of your environment. Plus, sometimes kids just need to be alone.

skigurl 2 years 42 weeks

I've never heard such rationale for sharing a room. I am pretty sure no parent who has the space for seperate rooms for their children would make their child share just for those "benefits". I think that's just a good excuse for why they shouldn't have to move to a bigger place - just rationalizing the fact that their kids have to share. I think it's important to have your own room. Very important. I think it's unfair to make them share, and it's very antiquated. My parents both shared rooms with their siblings because back then families had a lot more children and smaller homes, but now, I think you should do what you can to give your child their own space.

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