14 year old wants a room of his own this summer. The only spare one is my study

moss_kettle_280225 Apr 2026

The boys have shared a room since the younger one was born. This term the elder one has started asking, quite reasonably, for a door he can close. He's 14, he stays up later, and his brother likes to chat in the dark. The only way to do it is to give up the small room I work from on my advisory days and put my desk in a corner of the living room. My partner thinks it's obvious. The younger one is hurt and says his brother 'doesn't like him anymore'. If you split brothers at this age, how did the younger one take it? And did it help the older one, or was it mainly a door to shut?

3 comments

fern_piano_381425 Apr 2026
Not brothers, but my daughter shared a room with her cousin every summer at my parents' place. The year she finally got a room of her own at home, she was lonely for a few weeks, and then you couldn't get her out of it. Maybe give the younger one something that's only his as well, so it isn't only the elder getting something 🙂
silver_compass_261026 Apr 2026
What does he want the room for? If it's quiet for studying late, a desk in your study might solve it without anyone moving. If it's privacy, then it's the room. Worth asking him which before you move a whole office.
bronze_diary_287227 Apr 2026
Our son is ten and still asks to sleep in the toddler's room so he isn't alone. They go in phases. Your younger one will probably enjoy having a room to himself after a few weeks of sulking. You'll miss the study more than anyone.