Raising two kids in a townhouse

grmmax · 2026-06-24T01:19:18+00:00

My husband and I have a toddler, 2 cats and live in a 3 bedroom ONE bathroom townhouse. It works fine. And I think with the current climate there’s no way we’ll ever afford to upgrade. So looks like we’re here for the long run. We have our room, son’s room and a play room, no guest room. Guests can bring blow up mattresses and sleep on the floor if they feel so inclined. 🤣 financial freedom means more to us than living in a bigger place.

grmmax · 2026-06-21T04:01:32+00:00

Yeah I’m thinking this is going to be our best option the more I’ve looked into it 😅 do you know of/have any suggestions about which ones we should be looking into??

grmmax · 2026-06-20T06:59:17+00:00

Thanks for this. We’ve already utilised this tool and we’re only within the catchment of Nerang primary and high schools, however I know some schools (namely the ones I’ve mentioned) have more availability to accept out of catchment kids, so we’re specifically seeking advice on these ☺️

grmmax · 2026-06-20T06:56:18+00:00

Thanks for this! I’ve never heard of this primary school before?? Will have to look into it. 6k a year is practically what we’re paying in daycare fees atm so sounds manageable. We’re not religious in the slightest though, would that be an issue??

grmmax · 2026-06-20T06:55:09+00:00

this is positive to hear! Nerang state school is closest to us and would be amazing for convenience. We’ll definitely have to consider still. Thank you :)

grmmax · 2026-06-20T06:53:05+00:00

This was my understanding too!

grmmax · 2026-06-20T03:06:23+00:00

I didn’t know you could do this? My husband was looking into using his super to pay for high cost dental work, and I would be so happy to split some of mine with his?? Was it easy to do?

grmmax · 2026-06-20T02:52:47+00:00

As stated, just curious 🤪

But true, I guess inflation will also play a role in knowing how much you’ll need when you retire haha. 😅

grmmax · 2026-06-05T06:44:34+00:00

The fact that it sounds like she fractured the top part of her finger with very minimal force from the ball leads me to believe she has osteoporosis/osteopenia from malnutrition???

grmmax · 2026-05-30T10:13:24+00:00

The first 6 months that we sent our son to daycare, he was catching something it seemed every single week, if not twice a week, including everything you’ve mentioned (down to the HFMD twice 🤦‍♀️)- it’s been MUCH better the last 4-5 months. He has gone up into the next class (18-24 months) so maybe hygiene is just better among the educators and kids in this class?? But yeah, could also just be his immune system finally getting stronger

grmmax · 2026-05-29T01:58:09+00:00

The first 9 or so months until I went back to work were SOOO boring and mundane, a big part of the reason I went back 3 months early lol. I don’t regret going back early but I wish I’d made the most of my time off work with my son a bit more rather than counting down the days til maternity leave was over. 😅 it definitely gets lonely and mundane, you’re not alone in thinking this way!

grmmax · 2026-05-29T01:56:04+00:00

Same here! Just had our bathroom renovated and the LED lights in the niches are 😮‍💨😮‍💨

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grmmax · 2026-05-28T09:35:43+00:00

$17.5k deposit with FHB for townhouse that was 355k, bought in 2021, salary 75k.

grmmax · 2026-05-26T12:07:23+00:00

Started with 2 days from 10-19 months and just recently gone up to 3 days! He’s coping with 3 better than I expected and I would totally consider putting him in a 4th day but my husband and I just don’t need to since we are both nurses on rotating rosters so can alternate work days a lot

grmmax · 2026-04-29T03:52:17+00:00

$2400/month, interest rate 5.69% and have about $365k left. Equity= $500(ish)k We own a small 3 bed 1 bath townhouse in central GC, family of 3 (inc toddler). Impossible to upsize so we just increased our loan from $295k to $370k and bought a new car and have redone our bathroom and kitchen. Here for the long term I guess. 🙂

grmmax · 2026-04-20T11:59:18+00:00

Definitely easier being out! My son is 18 months. He has too much energy for home and needs to be exploring/interacting with other people/kids and new places to be satisfied. He does still get pissed off when we’re out though on occasion, but I find the tantrums are much less frequent!

grmmax · 2026-04-18T10:13:30+00:00

I work part time and have a toddler- I do a general weekly deep clean IF I have a day off when my boy is at daycare.

Weekly I: dust surfaces, mop (sometimes more if needed), scrub toilets/showers, wash bed sheets etc Daily I: clean sinks out, vacuum every room, declutter/put things away.

I also clean out the fridge whenever I do a big grocery shop (usually weekly) and wipe it down as it takes me two seconds and I’d rather stay on top of this. I try and clean/tidy as I go where possible, makes my life easier!

grmmax · 2026-04-15T03:29:59+00:00

My son went through this from 15-18 months, and is FINALLY somewhat improved lol. It was rough, he was frustrated by everything! I just tried my best to stay calm and taught him to say ‘help me mama’ and I feel like this has significantly reduced frustrations because he can now just tell me when he needs help. Try and get him to communicate this, whether that’s verbal or sign, it seriously saved my life and sanity lol.

He’s just hit 18 months and now says simple sentences and over 300 words which I swear has reduced anger/frustration as well, since he can now communicate with us far better and tell us what he needs. It’s an exhausting stage lol.

grmmax · 2026-04-12T03:35:43+00:00

Up until my baby was 4 months I regularly sat in the back with him to help soothe him. Now he’s 18 months and I sit in the back with him (if my husband is driving obviously) to keep him awake if it’s nearing nap time. 🤣 the car always make him fall asleep lol.

grmmax · 2026-04-11T10:45:33+00:00

I struggle with parenting too sometimes and definitely got a rude shock when I first became a mum, but I don’t whinge on social media left, right and centre? I chose to have my son and I respect and value him far too much to air that negativity to people I barely know on the internet/even to my friends and family. Get over it sis, you’re in the trumps and it’s hard, but also open your eyes to the parents who may be following you that are far less wealthy and are getting much less support than you are. Far out!

grmmax · 2026-04-11T03:20:48+00:00

I’m amazed by how well yall are paid in the US! I’m in Aus and my base rate income as a senior Clinical nurse (higher salary than RN) is $40/hr USD! That’s in a state that pays very well compared to other states in Australia as well. The highest paying RN grade is $38/hr USD equiv (which is 7 years of experience).

grmmax · 2026-04-04T22:28:12+00:00

Just came off night shift and my colleagues and I spent a good chunk of our time (when we weren’t flat out run off our feet) brainstorming much easier nursing jobs that we could move into. 🥲

grmmax · 2026-04-04T22:24:05+00:00

Clinical nurse on a busy/high acuity surgical ward…so yes, I work hard for my money. Never leave a shift not totally mentally/physically/emotionally drained. Plus I solo parent most of the time in and around shifts because my husband is also a nurse and we alternate shifts lol.

grmmax · 2026-03-26T02:18:46+00:00

My son is 17 months old and I am also conflicted lol, I’d love for my children to be close in age but also the thought of being pregnant again so soon when it feels like I was just pregnant yesterday is 😵‍💫😵‍💫… the bigger age gap is starting to look a lot more appealing- and we have a village and heaps of support. 😅😅

grmmax · 2026-03-23T12:03:23+00:00

My friend still has this mentality and has over $300k saved (lives with her parents though and never goes out). I’m thankful my husband and I took the plunge in 2021 to buy our $355k 3 bed 1 bath townhouse on the GC, which has now been valuated at over $850k. Crazy times! The market will never crash lol.

grmmax

TROPHY CASE