Is This Really an Issue? Just Wondering What People Think...

It sounds like you're doing a fantastic job letting her lead and just be herself. One of my 4 daughters was in her crib till 4 since she was the 2nd baby in 12 1/2 mos and I only had one twin bed. I kept the sides down and she loved it. Then someone offered me a double bed & I put the 2 of them together for another year or so. She's a wonderful person and mom & has an MBA so it did her no harm. Don't worry what others say. The toddler bed idea sounds good but I'd let her think it's her idea if I could. She sounds very smart. Please don't take parenting advice from bad parents or new parents!

As long as she's not so big that sleeping in the crib is dangerous for her, let her. It 's not doing any harm.

As for potty-training, it will happen when she is ready for it to happen.

I really think if you and her went out and picked out a tent it would work. You can tell her that a big girl bed gets a real tent :) At her age she knows that she does not have to potty train. She knows that mom is not making her. There really were a couple of kids in kindergarten with pull ups. It was sad. The teacher had to give the parents one weekend to get it done. She will go if you put her in panties only. She is old enough to not want to be in messy panties.

I think it's all a non-issue. You're the parent, she's your DD, and you are doing what's right for all of you.

I'm of the opinion - why rock the boat? She's not gonna be in a crib or diapers forever....

I've found that "pushing the issue" (whether it be eating, potty training, clothing choices, etc) with any of my boys makes the situation a thousand times worse.

She is going to grow up to know that she is loved and well cared for, and respected for the choices she makes....so what more could a Mama want?

Enjoy her! Before you know it she'll be graduating from kindergarten and off to college :)

It's odd that she's still in a crib and not fully potty trained but I'm sure it falls into the spectrum .... just far on one end of it.
If you dont mind what you are doing and she is thriving, dont let other peoples opinions make you feel bad.
If YOU wanted her out of the crib and thought it potentially dangerous for her to be climbing in and out you would have bought a bed already and packed the crib up. If you were tired of the potty training issue you would have figured that one out by now too.
She sounds precocious and you are allowing her the freedom to call the shots... she will even out with everyone else by age 6 or 7 and this will be a non issue. You are in the age of comparisons right now and everyone has their opinion.
If you are getting ready to make that transition from crib to bed I dont think I would discuss it with her much, you sound like you are making her crib a shrine and that makes her not want to give it up. When you give a 3 yr old a choice you wont always get the answer you hope for. I'm referring to your post where you say you have to warn her that there wont be a crib where you are going to go visiting. That might scare her, it's making her think that the crib is way more important than it really is....

My children were in their cribs until they were also almost 3.5 and I too felt a little 'weird' about it ... but I had heard such horror stories about kids once they transition into 'big' beds, and I covet my sleep so much I just kept them in there!

We went back home to visit family for the summer and they had to sleep in big girl beds then so my husband took down the cribs while we were away. When they came back they went right into their new beds. Maybe you could do this? Have someone convert it while you were away? Not sure if she would react positively to this as she is so attached to her crib.

Re; the nets that people put up over their beds DO NOT do this for a child that is this young - it is a HUGE strangulation hazard.

I go against the grain a little and I'll say I think it is more unusual for her to still be is a crib, and that the potty training (as long as you are seriously working on it) is nothing to worry about. I am also surprised she is able to go the preschool in diapers - unless it is more daycare than preschool. My opinion is that she should be moved out of her crib. Since she is climbing out, it is dangerous. Even if she hasn't gotten hurt yet. Also, I think she is old enough to be a little more independent and a crib doesn't help her do that. It's ok to let her earn that change is ok - because that is probably why she is struggling with both potty training and the crib... it is her comfort zone and the challenges will probably get worse the old sher gets.

The make really cool tents to go on top of beds. At this age, I would probably skip the toddler bed and just go to a twin bed and use the tent. If you just tell her what is going to happen (meaning don't ask, similar to what you are doing about the vacation) I imagine she will react just fine.

Good morning! I wouldn't worry about the crib. Your post post brought me back to when we took down my daughter's crib and she completely protested and sat on the disassembled parts at two (great photo). The toddler bed was a total waste for us. If she fits, feels safe and works for her...this isn't a battle I would fight. The socks also hit home, my daughter is 17 and loves crazy mismatched socks with her Vans (she will be 18 in June)....kind of her thing (better than being known for other things at her age). If it works for your family then great. I try to not compare us to other families because we have a great kid and also pick my battles. Do what works for you.

You are a wise mama. Keep going with your gut. I might use the vacation/bed scenario as an opportunity to make the change.....its kind of like child-led weaning - I nursed my kids well into their toddler years, and dropping one nursing at a time, starting with the least important with night time going to sleep feeding the last one to go...when one of my kiddos spent the night at grand-ma's obviously he could go to sleep without it so we kind of just used it as an opportunity and replaced it with rocking to sleep which either mom or dad could do. I recall it being very easy, without a struggle, obviously he was ready. You are the expert with your child!!!

I think going ahead and taking the side off so she is still in her bed but still opening up new experiences would be okay. If she becomes extremely upset then put the side back on.

As for the potty training wait until Summer and let her run around in panties outside. She can have accidents and not get pee all over the floors and carpets. You can rinse her off with the hose and it be great fun.

Since she's going to soon be 4 and old enough to go to Pre-K at the local elementary school this Summer is kind of the cut off date for her getting potty trained. She can't go to big girl school if she can't go potty.

Otherwise you have a year until Kindergarten starts.

I really feel sorry for that co-workers little boy. Obviously they have no concept about teaching a child anything. Hopefully someone will call a social worker on them if the child is hurt too badly.

I don't think I would worry too much about what this co-worker has to offer on the subject of your daughter. If she is 1) co-habiting with a boyfriend who has his 2 yr old son every other weekend, 2) thinking that spanking a 2 yr old for having potty accidents, and 3) advertising both... then I don't think I would hold her advice in high esteem. Just my opinion... not judging HER, just saying I don't think I would be trying to emulate her superior judgment.

Sure eventually you will want/need to move your daughter into a regular bed. But there is no time schedule besides what works for your family and your circumstances. Your daughter is happy and so are you. So there is your answer. When you think she should move out of the crib, (or if she expresses a desire to do so) then you should probably convert the crib into the full sized bed (unless there is a younger sibling who will need it for their crib!). Let her know her bed is "growing up" just like she is!! :))

I don't think it is hurting her to sleep in it the way it is right now. But your co-worker's bf probably IS hurting his son if he is spanking him for having accidents. It is hard enough for young boys to be consistent with their pottying, especially at barely 2 yrs. But throw into that an unstable home life and switching houses every other weekend and that is a recipe for failure. Then the child's dad is punishing for it?!! ugh. Poor little boy.

Your friend is clueless...spanking a 2 year old for messing is ridiculous. You should let her know she should do some research on this and stop punishing the child for something he cannot help.

I certainly wouldn't worry about your daughter and her crib. OR her potty training. They all make these transitions in their own time.

Who cares! Let her be in the crib if that makes her happy and you happy... It won't be long before she gives up all things "baby" and you'll miss it. My daughter is only 2 1/2, but they sound like similar kids - mine is easy-going, sleeps all night, chooses her own clothes, talkative, smart too - but she holds onto a few baby things. My daughter, the paci... ugh... Haha. I say pick your battles... This one doesn't need to be a battle. And nothing against the coworker, but having a boyfriend with a kid is VERY different than having your own baby. She shouldn't have a word to say.

I haven't read the other answers (there are so many!) but in case it was overlooked, make sure that your daughter is still under the recommended weight-limit for the crib. I know that my son's crib has a weight-limit of 35 or 40 pounds (I'd have to go back to check for sure). These limits exist for safety reasons, and so if your daughter is over the weight-limit, she could be at risk.

If she's not, I don't really see a problem with it. Who cares? I don't think it's your co-worker's business, anyway. When you do decide it's time to move on to the big bed, Ikea makes some great bed "tents" that might make the idea more appealing for your daughter. Good luck.

No big deal. She won't be in the crib F.. Who's to say what age it isn't appropriate anymore---if she is happy in there, leave it like that for now. Tackle one thing at a time-potty training is a big issue, I wouldn't do both changes at the same time. GL!

M

I strongly suggest at her age to get her potty trained ASAP! Im surprised a preschool would take her if shes not potty trained. Any preschool I have talked to thats their #1 rule. As far as the bed, thats not really a big deal. You said you will do something about it soon. I would take her shopping and have her pick out some cute bedding. They also sell really cute bed tents, I saw some at target and online. That might be pretty exciting for her. You say shes well behaved, and every kid has their quirks, it makes them different. But GET ON THAT POTTY TRAINING! lol ;)

I think it is perfectly fine that she is in a crib. when she gets to big and her feet are sticking out then you can change her.My oldest was in a twin at 18 months because he would climb out and fall from the crib, my youngest stayed longer but it out but that was out of preference from him. so ignore your co-worker and do what works for you. If she likes her crib and is happy whats the hurry. Even if she is fine with the bed on vacation, if she likes her crib at home why change it.
Regarding potty training, that too, it is not like she won't be potty trained for kindergarten. she will. If it becomes an issue when she is approaching that time then push it, other than that just enjoy the little age.
It is not like you are going to have a 3rd grader sleeping in a crib and wearing a diaper. she will be fine:) enjoy

Wow, I see you have a lot of responses so I will be brief, for once!! Yeah, the crib thing is no big deal! I don't think you will have a problem when you travel bc she knows she is not at home and everyone is sleeping in a different bed, my son is her age, I think she will handle it fine. What kid wouldn't love to sleep in a fort every night? :D On the potty training, you do have to let them lead, I mean, you can't potty for them. What I did was put out some really cool Toy Story underwear for my son to see. When he asked about it I told him that whenever he was ready to use the potty his underwear was waiting for him. I also had these cloth trainers. When he said he was ready for his underwear, I told him once he went a full day with no accident in the trainer, he could wear his awesome underwear. Took three days, he never looked back and he made the decision. So you may try that. For us stickers, all that mess was so counter productive. Giving him his own time frame and letting him decide he wanted to did the trick. Good luck mama, sounds like you are doing just great to me!!! What a little twirp at your office!! :D

My daughter stayed in her crib for as long as she liked, around 4ish and visiting other little girls she wanted to try a big girl bed and she did fine. Potty training was challenging and I did not push it. She was ready when she was ready. I did not rush anything with her. She was trained before she went to school . She just one day sat on the toilet I got for her. It had little stairs and arm rests, book a book rack on the side. She loved it. She was also a nice polite, smart little girl who did things by her own time table and I let her. She is now 23 and a bright smart young women. She still does things at her own time table. Thats just fine with me.

I have to say she had a doll that needed potty training we did this together , then had a little cupcake party for the doll. She wanted a party so thats when she started going on the party.

We kept our son in his crib for as long as possible (until he outgrew it) at 3.5ish... it worked for us... he loved it.... there was no reason to switch.

The ONLY reason most people switch is that they need the crib for a sibling OR their child climbs it and it becomes dangerous. There's no reason on gods green earth it would cause any kind of delay. It's a bed with rails. Usually that go up and down.

As far as spanking for accidents... if this person had ANY basic understanding of human anatomy & physiology OR physiological psychology (aka the autonomic & central nervous systems) she'd understand that spanking (or ANY kind of punishment) for accidents is the WORST thing a potty training parent can do. So, yes, you are well wise to consider the source. Ugh. Sounds like the ignorant step-monster that gives hardworking loving step parents a bad name / keeps many of us in bad marriages PURELY to keep such idiots out of our children's lives.

If she were my daughter I'd give her a time limit...By this date we are going to switch your crib to a big girl bed! Be excited! You can buy her a cool bed tent kind of thing to put over her bed to make it like a fort. They make so many neat things now. Show her pictures of bed tents and let her pick one out and then do it!

Well, my first daughter also LOVED her crib. She did climb out once when she was too young, so we immediately bought "The Crib Tent," to ensure her safety. And she came to love the tent so much that she HAD to have it zippered up completely at bed/naptime. Luckily, we had a natural transition in that we were moving right around her 4th birthday. We told her that in our new house they had a bed for her and that the crib had to be saved for a baby. Worked like a charm.
As for my youngest daughter, she is now about 4 1/3 years old and is STILL sleeping in a crib. She can get in and out, but she never does. In her case, where she is still not potty-trained despite our best efforts (she is now seeing a professional about this), we have told her that she can get a big-girl bed once she is potty trained and she is fine with that (as is her pediatrician). They are "too old" when they are longer than the length of the crib or too heavy for it. Otherwise, what's the difference? In the grand scheme of things, being in a crib for a year past "the norm" won't make a bit of difference. Go with your gut and don't listen so much to people who aren't going to be part of your support system. Being a mom is hard enough without negative nellies!

I wasn't completely through your post before the little voice in my head popped up:

"This mother needs to tell her coworker to kindly keep her uninformed comments to herself." (that was the polite version, btw.)

I don't think your issue is your daughter, per se. I think you will need to be very guarded about what you tell this person you work with. She's NOT an early childhood ed specialist, right? She has no children of her own, and doesn't understand all the intricacies and nuances of a parent/child relationship. In my opinion, you are choosing/prioritizing which changes you most want to help your daughter with, which is wise. So, in regard to your coworker... I personally think that she's likely one of those 'new experts', the way one might be when they first learn something new and then seem to be telling all those who have gone before that their way is best.

Having vented that (sorry, but people like that drive me nuts and spread bad information), no,your daughter sleeping in a crib by choice is just fine if it's working for both parents and child.You aren't hurting or hindering her. I know a huge variety of kids this age; some sleep in their own conventional bed, some sleep with mom and dad, one loves his crib still, another sleeps in a toddler bed in a playhouse in her room.... there's nothing held back or hindered about any of these kids. They're just happy to sleep comfortably.
She'll eventually find that she's wanting to make her bed look like those of her friend's at some point, and when it's her idea, you aren't going to get a lot of guff about it. And this is so different from a parent forcing their child to stay in a crib for their own convenience,right?

Just for the sake of it, I'll also post the link I always post on toileting and children:

http://www.betterkidcare.psu.edu/AngelUnits/OneHour/Toile...

Forgive me if I've already sent this to you. I just find this article so spot-on, and I'm planning on teaching Toilet Learning classes in my community in the next year.

Cross this one off your list for worries. All of our kids have ups and downs. Your coworker and her boyfriend seem to want a perfect child. Sounds like she needs to be the one to question what's going on in her own home! (Spanking a young child for pants-messing at this age is a big red flag for further problems down the road. scary.)

Just FYI-- at my preschool, I do take non-toilet learned children. I've helped so many of them in the past. Frankly, I'd rather work with the child when they are ready than to pressure the parents to get it done beforehand, and deal with the power struggles that come with 'enforcing' potty-training techniques. Most of the more progressive preschools in my area also take this more child-centered approach. My caveat: diapers OR underwear, but no pull-ups! Otherwise, this isn't a worry for me, although if I had a larger business, the licensing and physical requirements of the space changes a bit, which is why so many daycares and larger preschools do require it... and it could also be the provider's preference, too.

My youngest BF until she was over 3 and we co-slept until she was 6 1/2. She is a well adjusted, confident child today (almost 8yo) and actually quite mature for her age according to her teacher. So it is probably not a surprise that I see nothing wrong with what you are doing. Your coworker on the other hand should take a child development class!

The only thing I would be mildly thinking about is that sleeping in a crib will make it more difficult to use the restroom in the middle of the night. Since most kids don't day train long before the night train, it's just something to keep in the back of your mind.

We put our son in a bunkbed before he was potty trained, but we had him sleep on the lower bunk until we were sure he'd be ok going to the restroom in teh middle of the night. Then we let him try the top bunk. After a couple more weeks we moved little brother from the crib into the lower bunk.

It's hard to do this, but as mom's we need to try not to worry too much about what we're "supposed" to be doing. As long as our kids are healthy and happy, it's often best to go with what works. My dad always said, just give them lots of love and you'll be fine.

My brother and I slept in cribs till I went to kindergarten and he was 4. My mom said we were happy so she was happy! By the way, I think I turned out just fine!

our 4 year old still sleeps in the crib, even though he could climb out by himself at 15 months. I do not see what the issue is, it's just a bed that has 4 sides:)

You already came back with a response and said the bed can be converted into a toddler bed. I find it funny that so many convertable cribs are resold before ever being used for the toddler bed. I guess we all buy the "3 in ones" thinking what a great investment it is, and then get tired of the crib too soon and don't want to continue using it longer so the toddlerbed and head board never come into play. But that's a different post for another time. I just want to suggest you let her sleep in the crib as long as she wants, but lower the rail if possible so she gets used to that. Then when it is time to change it to the toddler bed, be sure she is in the room and gets to help. She will accept it more if she was in on the process and not surprised, or shocked to walk into her room and find her crib gone. If she is part of the change she will be more willing to go along with it. Our kids never climbed out of their cribs and we finally bought them twin beds about 3 1/2 years of age. No hurry to get them out. The potty training ordeal... well I'm not too sure what to say. We went thru a lot with our grand daughter just recently and she's 3 1/2 and just now has started to "get it".. So good luck!

I don't know that it is a problem. But, just an idea-

They do make real 'tents' that fit on daybeds. My oldest daughter slept in hers for YEARS! It was REALLY cute! Might google them. Could be one more step toward the big girl thing. Might even help with the potty training.

To help my second daughter with the potty training, I bought baby doll diapers for her baby dolls. It helped her understand they were for babies!

My brother just took some of the dowels out of the crib side in the middle so his son could climb in and out without having to go over the top, sort of like a door. At some point she will get too long for the crib mattress and then I would make sure to have the twin mattress available maybe with the bed-tent, or else just tie 4 long broom handles to the 4 legs of her bed so she can drape blankets over her twin bed (or perhaps the crib sides remain, I cannot picture a crib to twin conversion, do get the toddler bed). Why fight it when she is happy and sleeps well?
My first went to preschool in pull-ups and they took the whole class for potty breaks and when she saw everyone else going potty she would too. All had to try even those in pull-ups. She gave them up eventually. My second potty trained in about 2 weeks since she wanted to be just like her big sister. I say pick your battles and since these things do not affect anyone or make your life more difficult, why not just let her?

You're fine, and she needs to find out more about potty training or she and her baby-daddy are going to traumatize her son.

I think sleeping in a crib at her age is perfectly fine if she sleeps. I made the mistake of taking my son out of his crib on Halloween and he has been sleeping on the floor ever since (no covers, blankets, etc). I feel awful and had I known I would have left him in there as long as he wanted. The reason we took him out was because we wanted the crib for another baby. I would follow her lead and pick the battles truly worth fighting.

There are some beautiful tents that your put over your toddler bed...but if she's fine like that why don't you just remove the sliding fence and get a safe rail that way she can keep her crib but without the danger of climbing....about the potty trianing well I have experience with only one kid yet and we start at almost 3 but I know every LO is different, I think she's old enough buy her nice underwear and let them use it , have extra clothes all the time and some cleaning supplies at hand all the time its sounds messy but that's the only thing that I can think of...good luck .

My son is 26 months and I'm positive that he will be in his crib until he's between 3 and 4 years old. He absolutely loves his bed, and will not sleep anywhere else. About a month ago he started having nightmares and my sister suggested that maybe he was feeling "trapped" in his room with a monster since he was stuck in a crib, so we took the side off (it converts to a toddler bed, then a daybed) and it was a disaster. He woke up screaming in the middle of the night because he had fallen on the floor and wouldn't go back to sleep until Daddy put his "wall" back on. He has blankets on all the sides and i'm actually kind of jealous of his sweet little set-up in there, it looks downright cozy in his little nest!

That being said, moms always think their way is the only right way. One of my sisters moved hers to toddler beds when they were 12 months and the other never even owned a crib for her two kids, they slept with her then moved into a regular bed. It worked great for them, but not for us. So don't let it get to you at all, your daughter is fine! Isn't a crib just a bed with 4 sides anyways?!

if it's working for you, then I wouldn't worry about it! After she's potty trained and needs to get out of bed during the night to get to the bathroom half-asleep, maybe I'd try getting rid of the crib.
is it a convertible? if you could turn it into a "day-bed", then she could still have her tent! (with one open side). sounds fun! My daughter's have bunk beds, and the one on bottom has a blanket hanging up so it's like she's in a tent.

I have always read that when they start to climb out it is time for the transition. All of my kids were out by your daughters age, but they were all young climbers and climbing out before their 2nd birthday. Personally, I would be paranoid about her top-heaviness increasing the chances of her landing on her head if she were to lose her balance climbing out.
If YOU are comfortable with her being in the crib, then it's really a non-issue in my opinion.

My #3 daughter was very stubborn about the potty training. She was 3 1/2 and I finally told her I was out of diapers and she would just have to wear the panties. Luckily we were snowed in with no option of going out for diapers ( I lied to her, had a whole box in the closet). She just looked at me rolled her eyes and said ok. That was the end of it. Later I did discover she didn't like the noise the toilet made when it flushed and she was afraid she would fall in. As far as her sleeping in a big girl bed....there are cute little canopies that hang from the ceiling or tents that attach that could give her the same feeling as her crib with the blanket over the top. I don't see any harm in what you are doing now. She is big enough that if the blanket fell into the bed, I don't think she would suffocate like an infant might. PB & J and cheese stick for breakfast...sounds good to me. She likes it, it's good for her. That is no different than having eggs or pancakes for dinner. It's not lke she is demanding cookies and pop for breakfast. I agree with you on the co-worker's advice...take it with a grain of salt. Spanking a 2 year old for potty accidents is a bit over the top in my book. What you are doing works for you...no worries!

my daughter was over three when we moved her to a big girl bed. If she's climbing in and out, I'd want to move her.

If she really likes her "tent" you could move her to a twin size and get a bed tent.

My 3 year old loves her crib. When I ask her if she wants a big girl bed she says, "not yet, when my feet touch the bottom and my head touch the top at the same time" She potty trained at 2. I don't see any problem with it. We don't allow her to climb in and out.

I wouldn't be too worried about the crib so much. The diapers-yes. I'd say that was a bigger issue at her age. If I were in your position -working with a very opinionated co worker- I'd probably try to avoid talking about my child with her:) In the end, it only matters what you, her father and her doctor think is best. Sounds like you are doing OK.

Now, a GREAT alternative to a crib would be a canopy bed, or a bed with those canopy/tent things (mosquito-net type material) that hang from the ceiling above the bed, or my older daughter (I have four girls-7,6,3 and 2) has a lower loft bed from ikea that you can have a tent type attachment on the top. very fun. There are also tents for bedrooms-we have a tent that we use for fun that is in the shape of a princess castle. A lot of these things are versatile- meaning you can detach the "tent" and still have a normal bed there when she doesn't want it anymore. I think those options however, would be a great way to help her transition when it is time to.

my daughter was in a crib till 3 1/2. but the side was down for the last 6 months or so.. she was a chicken and never climbe out.. she could climb in though. she never asked for a bed.. we went out and bought a big girl bed. assembled it in her room and she slept in it from the first night.. we left the crib up for a couple of days to make sure she wasnt going back tot he crib.

so if you buy her a cool big girl bed and pick pout new bedding she will trasition easily.

my son gave up his crib at 3 as he was climbing in and out. no use of a crib if they can climb out.

potty training.. the child must be ready and willing. she ready at 3 1/2 but not willing. you just cant win the battle. incentives work for some, cool big girl panties work. my kids went right to cotton panties and did not like to pee in their panties. it took 3 days to train each of them.

Updated

my daughter was in a crib till 3 1/2. but the side was down for the last 6 months or so.. she was a chicken and never climbe out.. she could climb in though. she never asked for a bed.. we went out and bought a big girl bed. assembled it in her room and she slept in it from the first night.. we left the crib up for a couple of days to make sure she wasnt going back tot he crib.

so if you buy her a cool big girl bed and pick pout new bedding she will trasition easily.

my son gave up his crib at 3 as he was climbing in and out. no use of a crib if they can climb out.

potty training.. the child must be ready and willing. she ready at 3 1/2 but not willing. you just cant win the battle. incentives work for some, cool big girl panties work. my kids went right to cotton panties and did not like to pee in their panties. it took 3 days to train each of them.

My thought is--"If it ain't broke, don't fix it". You say your daughter is sleeping through the night & going to bed with no problems, then leave it alone. If you think something needs to change, can you convert the crib to a toddler bed, with only the front missing? She still gets that tent feel, but is able to move a little more freely.
As for breakfast, so what. Again, it's not broke. I don't pay a lot of attention to others-especially when the little that you get to hear about their parenting is so far detached from what you believe.

This is a non-issue to me. Let her sleep there! It would be different IF there was a baby coming and you needed it for the baby (because it would be ridiculous to purchase another crib when one child is already 3 1/2.) But if there is no NEED to move her, DON"T!

She'll move on her own soon enough. We also "pick our battles."

I can't imagine that keeping her in a crib would be hindering her at all. I'm sure she will get to a point where she does want a big girl bed.

One thing I was thinking when I read this was, they have those things that hang from the ceiling with like a big hoop and the fabric that drapes around the hoop so it covers the bed...like a cute tent. Perhaps something like that would entice her to sleep in a big girl bed when you decide you want her to make the move.

There is nothing wrong with what you are doing!! My son was just about 3 and 1/2 when we turned his crib into a toddler bed. He loved his crib. We asked him several times if he wanted a big boy bed and he said no. So we didn't push the issue. He loved being cozy in there with all his books and blankets.

As for your friends potty training technique, I think it's disgusting spanking the poor child cuz he wets his pants. That child will never learn. I feel for that child.

I say keep your little one in there till she is ready. Don't listen to what others do with their kids. You know what's best for your kids.

Take care!

I wouldn't be concerned - the only thing that I'd be a little worried about is if she gets hurt crawling out. Like the idea of a tent for a big girl bed. But no reason for concern at all. My son is 3 and happy in his crib - why take him out ???? Potty trainig will come. Give her a little break and take the pressure off.. My neice trained in 1 weekend because she decided to - she was 3.5.... enjoy her - she sounds wonderful!

She should go into @ least a toddler bed. She will start having sleep-overs and you don't want her to choose to have a big-girl bed because someone calls her a baby (mean but true)...and she will start to be too tall...
You can make some curtains together to put arround the top of the bed to keep the "tent"/"fort" thing going. make it special. she might not want to at 1st but then will prob get really excited as she is involved w/picking the material for curtains ect.
About poty training...just keep working at it, and keep it positive. Try a few days of panties only...it takes more work/laundry ect but most kids don't like it so they go on the potty instead. Good Luck. :)

My issue is not with the crib (as a much older kid my brother and i would take turns sleeping in the crib my grandma had, it was fun). Its with the fact that whatever she say she wants or doesn't want to do, is the way it is. Hello! She's 3 1/2! She doesn't know what's best for her. And sounds like potty training isn't going so great either.

Mama, you need to be the PARENT here, or this will become an issues at every developmental stage in different areas. Imagine what it will be like at 16? I'd suggest watching some supernanny episodes to get an idea of how to work through teaching her to obey you and try new things.

Best wishes!

Each child and situation is individual. I think the crib is ok for the time being, but if she's that involved, she is ready for potty training. You have to be prepared and committed for an entire week to really get it done. Good luck

I suspect you're really doing fine. In those early years, whole worlds of development can happen over just a few months. Four months to an adult goes really fast – to a 3.5 year old, it's more than 10% of her whole life!

She'll probably surprise you one of these days on the potty issues and announce she doesn't want to be in diapers any more. Just keep up the gentle, positive messages. Try potty parties with her dolls and toys. Have audible dialogues in the bathroom with a "bathroom fairy" who gets happy when little girls want to try new things, or some such. She'll get there.

When she graduates to a big bed, could you arrange a canopy over it? There could be a lot of different ways to accomplish this, from the bed frame itself, to fastening fabric to ceiling or wall.

I vote not an issue and see if she will transition into a toddler/twin bed with a tent ... she likes the security and can you blame her?

My son moved to a toddler bed before 2 and it was horrible at first. It took a couple of months for him to get used to it (he would not stay in bed and it took hours after "normal bedtime" for him to actually go to sleep). The only reason we moved him when we did was that his crib was recalled and I knew I was not having another so I did not want to buy another crib. I often joked that if his crib was not recalled, I would have left him stay in his crib until his feet were about to stick out the sides. If she is happy and safe there..leave her. I would check the weight requirements to be sure, but if it is still safe for her....why bother having this battle and move her. I think we need to pick our battles :-) Good Luck.

maybe get her one of those beds with a canopy on it. Does her crib convert? We bought a crib that converts to a toddler bed and eventually a full size bed. I wish I had other advice. Potty training comes in time. Maybe just put the "big girl bed" in her room if there is enough space to get her used to the idea. You can do it! You sound like you are doing great. Good job giving co-worker advice. Sometimes ppl need a little more advice. Hence my love of this site!

Take her shopping for her new big girl bed. I would go with a twin size. There are lots of beds out there with tents and canapies that she may really like. I wouldn't buy the bed right away just get her used to the idea of having a new bed. If you have the space you can buy her new bed and set it up in her room and leave the crib set up also to give her time to get used to the idea.
My mom often tells the story about my older brother who had a pacifer until he was 3 and didn't want to give it up. At Christmas time she convinced him that another baby needed his pacifer and Santa would take it to give to that baby, it worked. He put them under the Christmas tree for Santa to take and never asked for them back. You can try this method with the Easter Bunny, tell her the Easter Bunny needs her crib for a new baby. Take it down and pack it up leave it in the living room the night before Easter. After she goes to bed take it to a friend or parent's home to store. If you have another baby and need the crib back tell her The Easter Bunny or Santa brought it back for the new baby. Yes it's a lie, but also part of the fantasy all kids need.

My son was in his crib for a long time. He felt cozy. He loved it and slept well. I think we took the side off when he was 3 1/2 or 4 and needed to get a rail because he kept falling out! I didn't switch him to a big boy bed until he got very excited about it at close to 5 yrs old. I started to make it sound exciting because I didn't want friends from pre-school to come over and possibly make fun of him for his crib bed. Other than that I would not have cared.

As far as potty training maybe your little girl will get excited about going on a new pottie on vacation. That could be your breakthrough. That took us a while, too!

I think we both have kids that are so happy and secure with who they are, they don't feel the need to change. :)

I feel for your co-worker's little guy--how sad!

I don't think it's "hurting" her, if anything she's got a strong personality and knows what she wants, may be laughable and difficult at times now, but that will take her so far in life. She's old enough now that you can explain it to her. "You are getting too big for a crib, you won't fit much longer" etc. Maybe you could give her a reward for sleeping in her new "toddler bed" like a sticker in the morning or you could see if she's interested in some sort of class (dance, gymnastics, paint) and discuss with her that these sort of "big girl" activities are for big girls sleeping in a big girl bed :)

You're probably tired of answers at this point, but just wanted to tell you that our 3 year old daughter is still in the crib. Her poor little 13 month old brother is still in the pack-n-play in our room. *sigh* BUT, it works for us. As for the potty training, I agree that you have to let them decide. DD just BM'd in the potty for the first time yesterday. She's been peeing for a few months now. It will happen.