If You Have More Than One Child, Will You Have Them Share a Room?

When families grow, space becomes one of the biggest questions parents face. Whether you live in a small apartment, a starter home, or a larger house, deciding if siblings should share a bedroom is a common (and sometimes emotional) parenting decision.

For some families, room sharing is a practical necessity. For others, it’s a conscious choice rooted in values like togetherness, simplicity, or childhood bonding. And for many parents, the answer changes over time as children grow.

That’s why we’re asking our community:

If you have more than one child, will you have them share a room?

Why Some Families Choose Shared Bedrooms

It Makes Sense for Space and Budget

In many Canadian cities, housing costs and limited square footage make shared rooms a realistic option. Sharing a bedroom can allow families to stay in a neighbourhood they love or avoid the stress of moving to a larger home.

Built-In Companionship

Some parents love the idea of siblings sharing a room because it encourages bonding. Children often feel less lonely at night, especially in the toddler and preschool years.

Easier Bedtime for Younger Kids

For younger siblings, sharing a room can feel comforting. Hearing another child nearby can help with nighttime fears and make bedtime transitions easier.

Why Other Families Prefer Separate Rooms

Different Sleep Needs

Not all kids sleep the same way. Different bedtimes, light sensitivity, noise tolerance, or sleep regressions can make sharing difficult — especially once one child is school-aged.

Need for Personal Space

As children grow, many parents feel separate rooms support independence, privacy, and emotional regulation. Older kids may benefit from having a quiet space of their own.

Daily Schedules Don’t Always Match

When one child naps, another wakes early, or bedtime routines differ, separate rooms can reduce disruption for the whole household.

A Decision That Often Evolves Over Time

For many families, room sharing isn’t a permanent yes or no. Some children share when they’re young and separate later. Others start out in separate rooms and move in together during certain stages.

Factors like:

• Age gaps

• Temperament

• Sleep habits

• Family size

• Home layout

all play a role — and what works now may not work forever.

There’s No One Right Answer

Room sharing isn’t a reflection of parenting success or failure. It’s simply one of many decisions families make based on their needs, resources, and children.

Some kids thrive sharing a room. Others do better with their own space. Most importantly, parents adjust as their children grow and their family’s needs change.

Vote in the Poll

We’d love to hear from you:

If you have more than one child, will you have them share a room?