I have a 4 1/2 year old boy, a 2 year old girl, and I am 35 weeks preggers! Right now my daughter is in the nursery and my son has his own room. My husband and I purchased bunkbeds for the kids this weekend and are getting them delivered on Tuesday. I was wondering if any of you have some tips on how to smoothly move them into the same room? My son usually plays quietly in his room for about an hour after we put him down for bed, and my daughter falls asleep with in 5 minutes of being put down. So I worry that my son is going to keep her up or that they will keep each other up playing late into the night lol! Any tips or tricks are welcome!
Wow! I'm so surprised by all the negative answers! I don't think that it is a big deal that my son and daughter share a room at this age. Yes when they get older they will no longer be sharing rooms but at 4 and 2 I really don't see a problem. Anyways, the transition went very good. The kids stay in there beds and I can hear them talking for about 10 or 15 minutes which I find to be so fun and sometimes listen by the door to hear what is being discussed. Plus I wake up to them still in there beds and singing songs and laughing. So I have to say this was the best decision for my family. Thanks to those with encouraging words!
I wouldn't put them in the same room at all. I would probably lean towards putting the baby in the room with the same sex kid and try to make that work.
I would not do the bunk beds at all. We had two different sets with two different 'sets' of our kids and they are not good if you don't want playing and climbing instead of sleeping and they're considered dangerous now days. I would put the 2 year old in with the new baby. Then go from there as the need is there. The baby may be a girl and if so they could keep sharing a room. If not decide then what to do. Just my opinion.
Keep the baby in your room for a while and older kids in their rooms. That's a lot of changes for little guys. I just do not see how it can work right now since they are so different .
Also there is always a notice on the bunkbeds, that kids need to be 6 years old to use the top bunk.
I put my 2 year old son in the same room with his 4 year old brother. It has worked out great for us! They were much the same as your two. My 4 year old liked to lay in the bed and talk to himself for a while and the 2 year old fell asleep in the first 5 minutes. I didn't really "ease" them into it. I just moved the little guys crib into big bro's room. I did this early in the day so he could have a nap in their first. Then we started the same night routine: Bath, brush teeth, read 1 book each, lights out. It didn't take long for them to adjust. I think you have enough time to establish a routine before the baby is here. I also don't think it is a big deal for sibs of the opposite sex to share a room. One of my friends has her son and daughter sharing a full size bed in the same room. They are 2 years apart as well.
Good luck with whatever you choose and congrats on the new baby!
Those night schedules are extremely different. I would let the daughter 'camp out' in the new room for a few nights before officially moving her into the new room. Keep track of how often you hear complaints, see if your 2y behavior changes. etc.
Personally, I wouldn't do it since they are so different. I would have the new baby sleep in a bassinet in my room for a few months, and then have the new baby share a room with the 2y.
My baby #3 was born just about a year ago. My sons were already sharing a room (they were 4 and 2-1/2). We have 3 bedrooms, but the third bedroom is on the downstairs level, so we decided to put all 3 kids in the same room. We bought the low bunk beds from IKEA for the boys. The bottom mattress sits right on the floor, and the top bunk is about 4' high. I have never been one for having the baby in the room with us - I just can't get any sleep when I hear every newborn groan - so the baby was in the crib with them. The baby crying in the middle of the night never woke them. Nighttime isn't such a bad time, just get them into the same routine.
Naps are much more problematic for us. My oldest naps only periodically so that tends to keep his younger brother from sleeping. They often start out asking to sleep together in the bottom bunk but end up playing then fighting and not sleeping. My younger son will do that but will eventually reach a point where he just gets tired and goes to sleep.
I wouldn't worry about it too much. You might have more of a problem with your daughter getting out of bed more once she's not in a crib.
I'm so surprised at how many moms advise not to put them in the same room. I say go for it. My two boys were the same ages as your kids when we moved them to bunkbeds in the same room. It has been great. Yes, they need to know the rules: no talking, no getting up, etc.
I don't really understand how your son "plays" after you put him to bed. If he's not tired, why don't you just let him stay up a little later and then put him down after your daughter is already asleep. Most kids wouldn't even notice.
Also, the real key is making sure the kids are TIRED when you put them to bed. This definitely reduces talking, getting up and any other problems going to bed. Good luck!
For one with experience no bunk bed they are a pain. Do a day bed with trundle much more room n enjoyable. I have a bunch bed with captain drawers n another bunk bed set that I reall don't care for if I could afford to get rid of the one with the caption drawers I'd love to replace it with a day bed. Why don't u bunk the baby in with one? Whichever one is the same sex. I don't recommend different sex sharing ur in for tons of birds n bees ? Let alone privacy issues are going to arrive bad ideal for opposite sex sharing room. I advise same sex sharing room.
