Will kids(boy/girl) need separate bathrooms as they grow older?

Question

I have an 8 yr old girl and 4 yr old boy. They have separate rooms, pretty big and done up as they each like, with study table, bed, TV, playarea and lots of storage.

There is a bathroom near their rooms. It is really big, with 2 sinks and lots of cabinets. And then a door with k**b that leads to the potty and shower area. So, one can use the shower or potty in privacy while the other is using his/her sink.

So far they are fine sharing. I am trying to predict if this sharing bathroom will be OK as they grow older? Or will they need separate bathrooms? If so, at what age?

I am hoping they won't need separate bathrooms. But, we are doing some remodelling now, and this would be a good time to add a bathroom, if at all.

So, can a brother and sister share a bathroom as they grow older or are separate ones a better idea?

Answer 1

my brother and i shared a bathroom and did just fine. right now i'm sure they think nothing of one using the potty while the other uses the sink w/the door closed- when they get older they won't even want to be in there washing their hands together, but they'll figure out morning routine and things around it. i'd say it's fine.

Answer 2

psssh!  I didn't get my own bathroom, lol.  sounds like you're spoiling them enough!

Answer 3

it will be a problem. the girl will deffinently not want to share the bathroom when shes 12-18. with only having one bathroom there are many fights ahead. so if you are willing to deal with the screaming, door slamming that is coming your way, dont remodle, but if you can affored to remodle and put another bathroom in, i would suggest it. girls dont want to share with there brother, especially not the toilet.

Answer 4

Believe me your 12 yr old daughter won't want 8 year old brother in the bathroom while she gets ready in 4 years from now.  I would go ahead and remodel now if you have the finances to do it.

But at the same time when most of us older adults were kids, back in the days all of us siblings had to share a bathroom together and we made it work because we had no other choice.

Answer 5

Im 15 and share a bathroom with my 10year old little brother

trust me it works out fine

most boys are in there like once a day so it really is my bathroom he just uses it every now and then

its not like they have anything to put in it

as long as the toilet seat rule is firm your girl will be fine

Answer 6

I think that it will be fine! I have a friend who has a brother that is 4 years younger than her and another brother who is 4 years younger than him and they all share a bathroom! my friend just locks the door when she is showering and going to the bathroom!

Answer 7

when she gets older she should have her own b/r simple as tht

Answer 8

I don't understand why you would think that they need separate bathrooms.

In my house there is one bathroom, and everyone uses it (adults and kids).  

Even when they get older, they can just use it at different times.

Answer 9

I can't foresee any problems with the bathroom, unless your daughter starts to complain because her brother is messy etc. If you want to add a bathroom, do it, your daughter especially will appreciate it when she's older, but its not necessary.

Answer 10

There were six of us kids sharing a bathroom. I think it's rather indulgent to install another one for just two kids.

Answer 11

of course they do not need seperate bathrooms. They just need to know how to respect privacy and knock first

Answer 12

No they do not need seperate bathrooms...they just have to learn respect for others in the house and how to KNOCK before entering a bathroom.

Answer 13

I would give them seperate bathrooms, because the younger child will be curious of the older child's body. It also gives more privacy.

Answer 14

I think when they get older they will deffinitely appreciate having their own bathroom. It all depends if they get along really.

Answer 15

OK, your 8 year old does NOT need a potty, he needs a proper toilet. But yes, that sounds fine.

Answer 16

Huh? What do you think families with only one bathroom for the whole house do?

Put a lock on the door, and get them used to the idea of actually WAITING if someone else is in there. 8 and 4 is plenty old enough for that.

Answer 17

no.

Answer 18

Personally I think they shall do fine.

When I was younger (which was'nt to long ago) I shared a big bathroom with two sinks and multiple cabinets, similar to what sounds like you have, and the whole door leading to the privacy area. As long as they dont invade there personal spaces (you know what I mean) they should do just fine.

But that is just my opinion. People may think otherwise.

But hey look I survived!

Answer 19

Well, I guess in my family we did have two bathrooms upstairs... but there were 13 of us, all genders at all ages!

Honestly, it sounds like they have plenty of personal space; having to share the bathroom as adolescents will help them in the future; when they go away to college, they probably won't have their own bathrooms there!  Even if there are a few spats, your daughter won't look back on her childhood and think, "If I had only had my own bathroom, I might have had a decent life..."

Good luck, hope this helps!

Answer 20

I grew up with 4 brothers and a sister. Plus parents and one bathroom. Thank heavens i had two wjen my kids were growing up. The kids all shared one, boys and girls. Your kids will be fine sharing.  When your daughter hits the teen years she may want to spend hours in there but they can survive.