Are separate rooms required for parents and children?

A dear friend of mine shares a room with her daughter, and is about to move into an apartment. Now that she’s contemplating this move, she’s wondering whether or not she can get a one bedroom apartment, or if she needs to get a two bedroom for legal purposes. I have no idea what to tell her, and googling the question doesn’t get me very far. If anyone knows if separate bedrooms are required for parents and children (the parent is a woman, aged twenty-two and her daughter is two years old, about to turn three). If anyone has any information as to whether or not this is okay in the eyes of the law, I would really appreciate it! Thanks!

Answer #1

in the UK, the law has no such stipulation. the cooucils are governed by the philosophy that a child can stay in the parents room until it’s 5 years old, and siblings, regardless of gender, can share a room until they’re 11 years old. so in effect, you could have a 5 year old, a 6 year old a 9 year old and still only get a 2 - bed flat (I know someone like this!)

however, most people only apply this rule when they have more children to get a bigger place, where as, in private housing, there are no guidelines as to what a maximum age is, although I do feel that once a chld reaches puberty, that chld is entitled and should have their own space…

you should go to BBC I player and check out the man with 20 kids (in a three bed house, him and his wife have their own bedroom - to make more babies! and all the kids have to share 2 bedrooms, including one granddaughter from his 18 year old daugter >:O( shocker, he doesn’t work!

Answer #2

Hi,

I haven’t heard of any such law. A Google search also fails me, so I’m guessing that a 1-bedroom would be fine. Of course, she may run into problems as the child grows older and wants privacy/personal space. But at such a young age, it seems normal for them to be together anyway.

Answer #3

Well that is the same question I am trying to find the answer. I have a 12 year old stepson who shares a room with his 15 year old sister. I believe that should be a no no. Maybe his mother should shre the room with my stepdaughter and he have his own room.

Answer #4

That is odd to me. Where I am from there IS a law like that. Parents must have a separate bedroom for their child/children. If there are two or more children, past a certain age, children of the opposite sex cannot share a room. A freind of mine did not like having to separate her bedroom from her children so she set up their rooms, but had sleeping arrangements in her bedroom for everyone. This way she did not get into trouble. It would SEEM to be ok to share a room with your child especially if it is a mother and young daughter. I am also surprised the google searches were not very helpful. Where you live, check with your Department of Human/Social Services. They will have those answers. There must be different regulations from state to state.

Answer #5

yeah, i never herd of a law like dat… well they can share a room of corse…but she needs to know…as the child gets older around age 4-5 she should give her…her own room and bed to sleep on and in because as the child gets older…and the mother lets her stay in her room with her, when its time to let the child sleep in her own room, the child will try and reject because the child wants to sleep in the mothers room…so unless she wants her kid to stay in her room every single night…i would tell ur friend, that when her kid is 4-5 to get her..her own room and bed.

Answer #6

Hi, my boyfriend’s mum lives in Holland and shares a room and bed with his 5 year old sister, due to money issues, and it’s perfectly legal. It is here in the UK too, not sure about where you live, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t be, your kid, your choice.

Answer #7

I HAVE A FRIEND WITH 12 YEAR OLD DAUTHGER AND THEY SLEEP IN THE SAME KING SIZE BED. THEY USE BED TIME FOR COMMUNICATION, QUALITY TIME, PRAYER THEN FALL ASLEEP AND THEY ARE HAPPY WITH THEIR ARRANGEMENT. I DO NOT SEE ANY HARM IN THAT.

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