Generally, a bedroom should not have more than two children in it. Two people per bedroom is generally considered an occupancy limit for rental purposes. In many cases, there is a “2+1” occupancy limit that states you can have two people per bedroom, plus one person in a living space.
As it turns out, four kids can quite easily sleep in one room with a little creativity! I found that three elements were important: What is this? Give each child their own space.
For families, these codes may determine if multiple children can share a room, or if those children need their own rooms (e.g., no more than two people may share a given room). Except for special and/or extreme circumstances, there are no laws specifying how siblings share a room, even siblings with different genders.
While it's not illegal for them to share, it's recommended that children over the age of 10 should have their own bedrooms – even if they're siblings or step-siblings.
If children are of the same sex, sharing a room as long as both children are comfortable doing so is just fine. If your children are close and feel comfortable sharing their space and possessions, sharing a room can build a bond that will last a lifetime, so a children's bunk bed may be the perfect option.
The simple answer: any age, but I recommend waiting until the youngest is at LEAST 2.5 years old (sleep regressions before then happen almost every 6 months, yikes!). If you decide to move your children into the same room, read the below and follow the steps, and manage your own expectations.
Decide when to start
Since well-intentioned toddlers and/or older children may place objects into your baby's crib without you realizing it, here at Huckleberry we recommend holding off on transitioning siblings into the same room until after your youngest child is at least 1 year of age.
Room-sharing basics
Ideally, children who share a room should be as close in age as possible. A 3-year-old and a 6-year-old are more likely to have compatible schedules than a teenager and a baby. (Gender is a factor for many families, although this is not related to sleep.)
If you plan to expand the size of your household, then you would ideally like for each child to eventually have his or her own bedroom. A family of four functions best with at least 3 bedrooms in the home. Four bedroom house plans are ideal for a family of five, two adults and three children.
Section 325-326 of the Housing Act 1985 states that a household may be considered overcrowded if children of the opposite sex over the age of 10 are made to share a room. If you're curious about how many children should share a bedroom, the legislation also states that up to two children should share a room regularly!
In theory, siblings of any age could share a room, but a good time to make the move is when the younger kid is sleeping through the night, so as not to disturb the other child, says Edwards, who runs Wee Bee Dreaming Pediatric Sleep Consulting in Kamloops, BC.
It gives them control over their own space and gives them a higher sense of self-esteem, which is very valuable in their formative years. Expressing their personal style could be anything from choosing their own furniture, wall colour or decorating their walls with accessories or pictures.
It is convenient to allow each child to have his or her own bedroom, or you can have them share rooms. A family of four should fit comfortably in a house with three to four bedrooms. Consider an additional room for every one to two children or if you plan on your family growing.
“Occupancy Restrictions and the FHA” – FLCAJ Magazine. Many Associations' Declarations contain occupancy restrictions relating to the number of bedrooms in a home or unit. The standard provision reads two person per bedroom are permitted in a unit or home.
For comfort, assuming two parents and three children, a 4 bedroom house would be appropriate. If instead it is one parent and four children, a 5 bedroom would be most comfortable. If some children are under the age of 10 years old, they can share a bedroom.
On average, the ideal square footage is about 600 – 700 square feet per person. That means a family of three will want a house that's at least 1,800 square feet.
IF the terms of rental specify “max 2 adults or 1 adult and 1 child” or some such, they might “care” but probably won't DO anything. Most rental terms are “maximum 4 people,” and they leave it at that. If FIVE people actually stay, 99% of the time no one will say a word unless you make excessive noise or such.
At what age is it okay for siblings to share a room? I generally don't recommend that babies share a room with a sibling until a MINIMUM of 6 months of age, but preferably until they are at least one.
After six months, there's no problem with your baby and your toddler sharing a room, provided that they both sleep well. In fact, being together at night-time may enhance your children's relationship and even increase their sense of comfort and security while they're both young.
"Anxious kids, in particular, often have a much easier time falling asleep when they have someone in the same room or even in the same bed," Crist said. Sharing the room also teaches children how to negotiate, how to compromise and how to work out conflicts, all of which are important skills to develop.
Put your baby and your toddler on opposite sides of the room if you think your toddler needs some privacy (many don't). But it may make the bedroom look bigger if your toddler and baby are sharing a small room. There's no need for a room divider or screen. Most kids like seeing each other.