Room divider turn playroom into bedroom for DSS (temporary)

**Cass72** · October 15th, 2012, 02:49 PM

My DSD 14 (turning 15 next May) is coming to stay with us for Christmas.

I don't have enough bedrooms!

DS1 and DSS are both 17 and won't share a room
DS2 is only 2 and I'm NOT kicking him out of his room
The spare bedroom is no bigger than a cupboard and only just fits a bed in it and the door will close (with some manipulation) HOWEVER my parents are staying for Christmas and will be using this room
My in-laws are also coming but will be staying in their caravan (thank goodness!)

At the end of the hall opposite DS2's room is a playroom which is actually just a room full of DS2's toys and old desk that is never used and things that make it no further than that room. I've been pointedly ignoring it.

Now I want to give DSD some space and some privacy but honestly the cupboard (as we so fondly call it) will not do for 6 weeks.

I've seen some folding screens so I thought I might get two and off-set them so they form a bit of a walk around into her "room". I've layby'd new linen for the bed and some cushions and a lamp. I'm also going to buy new curtains to match and a rug. I thought I would repaint the old desk and put a nice little chair with it so she has a writing table and some drawers. We will also get her one of those portable robes.

To give you a better idea of the layout you from the family/kitchen area you walk up the hallway on the left hand side you have the laundry, then bathroom/toilet, small room, DS2s bedroom. On the other side ofthe hallway you have DSS's room, DS1's room then the playroom (opp DS2s room). Directly at the end of the hallway is the door to the garage. There won't be through traffic to the garage in the mornings/evenings when people are asleep as we are all on leave over the holiday period.

Thoughts?

Is this a too horrid thing for DSD? Should I put her in the cupboard? I didn't want to put her in there then move her out for Christmas then put her back in there and, I didn't really want to put my parents in the playroom.

**Catastrophic** · October 15th, 2012, 03:03 PM

Is the play room an actual room with a door?!

**Rowellen** · October 15th, 2012, 03:31 PM

I think it is nice that you have bought her new linen & thought about that extra stuff to make the space nice for her, but without a door, I'm not sure that would offset the downside. I guess it depends on how reasonable she is. I'd probably be inclined to ask your parents to find alternative accomodation (hotel/tent in backyard whatever, or playroom if you must) and give DSD the "cupboard". Privacy is a big issue for teenagers (based on my limited experience of myself lol).

**Cass72** · October 15th, 2012, 03:43 PM

Nope - no door! That's the downside. I think we may just put her in the cupboard afterall but I'll have to get a smaller bed so she can have room for a small wardrobe and bedside. I'll put my parents in the playroom with a divider.

My mum has osteoarthritis so "roughing it" on anything less than a bed (ie, in a tent) won't work and, the nearest hotel is half hour away.

**peanutter** · October 15th, 2012, 10:49 PM

What would happen if you gave your DSD the option of either bunking it with DS2 or having the converted room? Any chance of that being a happy arrangement?

Back in the day when we were fostering, we regularly hhad an extra child staying with us, and they were on a camping stretcher in a partitioned part of the lounge room. There was a concertina-ed door we pulled across to divide the lounge, and there was room for the stretcher bed, and a bit of space either side, and a little desk where they could put their bags ...

It was pretty make shift, but (like what you've done) we had little things to try to make it "homey".

Ultimately, there can be no real offence that there's not a dedicated room for an extra guest, and on the contrary, you're taking specific measures to try to help her feel welcome and at home.

She'll be fine

**BrightSparkles** · October 16th, 2012, 06:29 AM

Would she be happy to be in the cupboard and share with ds2 just for the xmas period?
I remember I always had to share with my brothers over xmas when we had extra family staying.

**Tinks** · October 16th, 2012, 06:36 AM

If its only for a short period, couldn't the 2 older boys share and she use one of their rooms?

**Cass72** · October 16th, 2012, 07:51 AM

Thanks ladies - I think I was just being a difficult cow on purpose. Don't know what's wrong with me?!

Whilst the house is quite large the bedrooms are pokey. Both DSS and DS1 have double beds in their room and, in all honesty, I couldn't see them bunking in together - they are both rather tall and gangly almost 18 year olds. One is an early to bedder and early riser clean freak and the other is content to fall into bed dressed in the days clothes and sleep until you drag him from his room.

I've staked out the playroom and will convert it into a nice little place for my parents. It has sliding doors onto the front verandah so I'm going to put a little table and couple of chairs out there for them for their morning coffee. I've found some awesome room dividers on the web called Designer Dividers and they have free delivery - now I just have to decide what one to buy.

DSD will be content enough in the cupboard. I just want everyone to have their own "space" as over Christmas as people can get worked up in close quarters. Now to redesign my family/kitchen/diner room to seat 10 people for a couple of weeks! But that's another thread....

**Cass72** · October 16th, 2012, 01:36 PM

Well she only wants to come for a week now from 2 January because it doesn't fit in with her plans. DH and I both go back to work the following Monday so I don't give a fig and she can damn well sleep on the floor!

So sick of his kids disappointing him and leaving me to pick up the pieces! Ungrateful little so and sos!