Recently Divorced Man Asks If He’s Wrong For Making Daughters Share Room

By Annie N. in Parenting On 28th April 2023
advertisement

AITA for saying my girls need to start adapting to sharing a room?

Divorce can not only be hard on the couple but also on the children. 

Pexels/Reddit

This particular Redditor has been trying to navigate post-divorce problems, the most recent of which was the question of his daughters sharing a bedroom in his new apartment.

advertisement

He shared that initially, the two shared the house with one person leaving when it was the other's time with the children.

"My wife and I are in the process of getting a divorce. We have 2 daughters that are 14 & 11. Initially, we were trying the whole, one of us stays there one week then the other while renting an apartment."

Pexels/Reddit
advertisement

This however quickly became complicated.

“This was to keep the children in one home and have minimal disruption. However, it just wasn’t working out, for any of us but especially the girls.”

Pexels/Reddit

At this point, the husband decided it was time to fully move out.

“We decided I would get my own place and my wife would keep the house, with the girls alternating between us every other week.”

Pexels/Reddit

With rental prices being what they are, he was only able to get a small apartment at the time.

“At the house, my girls each have their own room. I tried to find a place that had 3 bedrooms but they were out of my price range. At this time, I can’t afford to buy a house, so I’m renting.”

Pexels/Reddit

He decided to give the larger bedroom to the girls to share.

“I found a decently sized apartment and decided my girls could take the master bedroom as it’s bigger and would fit 2 beds. I got a divider and tried to make it so they’d each have some privacy.”

Pexels/Reddit
advertisement

The fighting however started getting out of hand.

“They hate it and I understand. It’s not what they’re used to and they are very different. There is a lot of bickering. We’ve had this arrangement for a couple of months now. I’ve tried my best to keep the peace. I told them hopefully by next year they’ll have a bigger place.”

Pexels/Reddit

The ex wasn't too happy about the situation either and shared her two cents and suggested the father move to the living room instead.

“My wife has been shaming me for forcing them to share a room. She says I should sleep in the living room. One, it’s not big enough for a pull-out or air mattress.”

Pexels/Reddit

“Two, I really do not think this is a big deal in the grand scheme of things. I shared a room growing up and was it fun? No. But it was the situation.”

Pexels/Reddit
advertisement

OP spoke to his children but his ex-wife told him to deal with the bickering.

“I told my girls that I sympathize and I understand it’s hard but they do have to adapt. My wife says I should put up with the complaining.”

Pexels/Reddit

So he took to Reddit to ask if he was in the wrong for making them share.

“AITA for expecting them to start adapting vs complaining every single day? I’ve accommodated them as best I can (the divider, letting them decorate their respective side as they want, letting one go in my room if they need a breather from the other, etc) but at this point, it’s time to start learning to adapt. AITA?”

Pexels/Reddit

Redditors were level-headed with their input saying that the ex's opinion no longer mattered.

“NTA.

One great thing about divorce: she's entitled to have an opinion, but it's just that, her opinion... YOU can do whatever the heck you like within reason.

...And having them share a room due to financial constraints is entirely reasonable.”

Pexels/Reddit

Another added,

“NTA.
Your STBX is stirring the pot with your daughters. She needs to stop with the comments about your daughters sharing a room. Her comments are keeping them upset, and prolonging this situation.”

Pexels/Reddit

Most were of the consensus that the ex needed to stay out of the situation.

"She says I should sleep in the living room" "My wife says I should put up with the complaining"
Ex can mind her own business. You have made a reasonable accommodation.
NTA”

Pexels/Reddit