Hi, all.
Well, just when I thought I was done with child rearing (my birth daughter is 22) I find myself with two step daughters, 12 and 8.
The 12 year old has been living with her dad and me since April. She'd had a fairly unstable few years before that, and a few behaviour problems - tantrums, excessive activity, fighting at school and such. She's stabilizing fairly well since she's been here, with her own room, enough to eat and a basic set of rules for living.
However, now, her younger sister will be thrown into the mix, and they will have to share a room again (as they have often before). I'm concerned because I think 8 and 12 are very different in their needs and behaviors, and also because I think having her own space and a place to "cool off" when she needs to have really contributed to the 12-year old's better attitude.
I've done what I can to offer some private space within the room - they each have their own loft bed with desk, drawers and closet, and a curtain to shut of their desk area when they want, but still, I expect some friction. Any ideas on how to minimize the difficulties?
Thanks
wani
Well, just when I thought I was done with child rearing (my birth daughter is 22) I find myself with two step daughters, 12 and 8.
The 12 year old has been living with her dad and me since April. She'd had a fairly unstable few years before that, and a few behaviour problems - tantrums, excessive activity, fighting at school and such. She's stabilizing fairly well since she's been here, with her own room, enough to eat and a basic set of rules for living.
However, now, her younger sister will be thrown into the mix, and they will have to share a room again (as they have often before). I'm concerned because I think 8 and 12 are very different in their needs and behaviors, and also because I think having her own space and a place to "cool off" when she needs to have really contributed to the 12-year old's better attitude.
I've done what I can to offer some private space within the room - they each have their own loft bed with desk, drawers and closet, and a curtain to shut of their desk area when they want, but still, I expect some friction. Any ideas on how to minimize the difficulties?
Thanks
wani