Do You Have a 1 1/2 Story House?

When we were looking one of my thoughts was will I still want this house in 15 yrs?
We did turn down a house that had the master on a different floor than the kids rooms... Why? (hehe) well in 15 yrs when my daughter is 19 and my middle guy is 16 I want to be able to catch them sneakin in or out of the house... I want them to know that at any moment mom or dad could step out of THAT door... with no warning...
So we choose a 2 story house that the upstairs windows are not near any trees for people to climb in. (have I watched too many tv shows?) Hey, better safe than sorry (and a grandma):-)

we lived in a bungalow, and both our girls slept in the same room. Since they were 4 and 2 years old, I kept a monitor in their room, and had it on at night when I was upstairs. Another idea, is to make the upstairs bedroom the kids room/playroom. Then, when they are older, you will still be able to monitor late night activity as was suggested in another post.

L.

We have a dormer bedroom upstairs. Our boys, 5 and 3, have always been downstairs. We too had to wean them from cosleeping. Will they be sharing a room? That could help with fears. We recently moved our guys in together and they're doing great. I would involve them in decorating their big girl bedrooms. Hopefully the hype will keep them downstairs. If you have fears, you could always try a monitor in the hallway. Good luck!

Before we were married, my husband had a bungalow and his two young children actually shared one of the rooms downstairs to sleep in and the other was a play room. This was only until they were older and didn't mind sleeping alone, then he split the bunk beds and they each had their own rooms. I think you'll be fine; congratulations!

I think you should go with your gut, I couldnt personally sleep well knowing I was on a differnt floor than any of my kids and I dont think my 6 year old would sleep that far from me,you may put the kids up and you down but I would say a home with all room on the same floor would be best. Im a single mom and we have an older 2 story home 3bdrooms and a bath up, and a playroom on the mainfloor. Good luck!!

Hi, I just want to let you know that I grew up with my parents on a different floor and our home is also this way. We have a cape cod, and our bedroom is the only one upstairs, our two year old is downstairs and has been ever since he was five weeks old! We are fine, I actually enjoyed him down there so I didn't feel like I had to check on him all the time. I still have a monitor for him and all works well. I know this can be a personal preference, but sometimes I think I got more sleep because he wasn't so close! Now, we are expecting our daughter any day now and she will have to be with us as we only have two bedrooms! So, that's a different situation all-together.

It's a tough call to make but here are some things to consider (although goodness knows we all hope these things never happen in our home): what to do in case of a fire? what if someone breaks into the house during the night? would they be able to get out of the door or into dangerous things if they wake in the night and you don't hear them or if they sleepwalk? what if they wake with a nightmare or get sick during the night? In my opinion I would not feel comfortable having children at this young age on a separate floor but we all must choose our own path. Please just be sure to have a "plan" for some of the above concerns if you decide to go with this style of home. Good luck in your search!

HI J.
I am the same way you are. When we were house hunting a few years back one of my stipulations was that all the bedrooms had to be together. First reason being that my kids are afrid of their own shadow. I knew they would never go for us sleeping in a different part of the house let alone on a seperate floor. We did buy a 2 story and I love my house but I am so sick of going up and down stairs. If there is a ranch in your decision I would definately go for that. It just makes your life so much easier.

I love in a bungalow and I have no problems with having my son downstairs. My house is so small that I can here every peep he makes. even when he was a newborn I didn't need a baby monitor.

I would say to put your oldest upstairs for now while you're downstairs with the baby. :)

Hi, regardless of which house you buy, the sleeping arrangements will be new and they will react to it. How they react will not be based on WHERE the bedroom is, but on who they are. When they become older, the bedrooms away from yours will be a blessing for both. Good luck and happy house hunting,

Take care, J. - mom to Mark 16 and Vanessa 10

We live in a 2 bedroom 2 story house with the master bedroom upstairs and the other bedroom downstairs. I've never had an issue with the kids being downstairs (4 years old and 9 months old) but their bedroom is at the bottom of the stairs and our bedroom is the only room on the upper level.

When my husband and I bought our first house is was a 1 1/2 story house. We loved it. Then we had a baby and we hated it!! We wanted to be on the same level as our child and it wouldn't work out. I would not move into it if possible.

We have a bi-level and our bedroom is downstairs and my daughter's room is upstairs. The only time I really worried was before she was 1, I slept in the spare room so that I was near her, it was just easier for me. She is now 2 and I don't see it as an issue. I think it is actually better because we do not have to worry about waking her up at night because she is on a different level so we do not worry about making too much noise right next to her, since we are downstairs. I am assuming this is a 3 bedroom house, you could also sleep in the room on the same floor as your daughter unitl both of you feel comfortable. Good Luck!

moving to a new house will probably be scarey any way, you could always put the girls in the same room.