What? she went back to work and decided it wasn't worth it? She wanted a smaller home because she wanted to stay home with the children? Shouldn't we persecute her for being off narrative?
All the kids in one bedroom? They will love that. Especially as they get older. Adopted daughter is out of there ( shes eighteen) but I am sure enjoys being in the bedroom with the baby.. And what is your brilliant plan for when your younger son and daughter shouldn't be sharing a room? And using the bathroom requires a "creative do or die attitude"? Ouch. But hey, she feels sorry for people who dot live her way, because obliviously her choices should be for everyone.
However, 850 it at least a reasonable size. It can be done, and millions of settlers did it with larger families. You can make it work (with that "creative do or die attitude") but there is a reason that "American Dream" tract homes were 3 bedrooms and 1200 square feet. Its the minimum size comfortable space for a family for long term use. . Parents in one bedroom. Girls in the Second. Boys in the third. These people will be forced to either turn the living room into a couch based bedroom for the boy, or move to another home. Obviously you can do that. But it becomes more work and the boy will no longer have his "own space" anywhere in the home. He will probably pitch a tent in the yard and take to sleeping out there at some point.
Having an extra Bath is extremely convenient, as is having a second family room in my opinion - and it needn't be large. Just a place to retreat to away from everyone else. My TEOTWAWKI place is 1600 square feet. 3 bedrooms, a small office off the master ( and connected to the main house) and a large open area connecting dinging room, kitchen and living room. I did enjoy being around the family more in that home - and often did my work at the kitchen table along with the children doing their homeschooling - so some of what this woman is talking about is true. And we had Michelle's mother staying with us for a while too ( and son slept on the couch in the "office/2nd living room) It was all pretty comfortable.
But anything under that and you are probably giving up some quality of life to make it work. It may be "worth it" -- but the narrative keeps pushing such extremes. 200sq feet for individuals or couples. 800 sq ft for a "family" . Agenda 21 is just written all over it.
Hulu had that "Tiny" documentary about the Hartsel Tiny Home ( built in boulder, moved to Hartsel, moved back again and the Hartsel land went up for tax sale)
It was pretty much what one would expect.