What do you think of bunk beds?

Question

My boys are 4 and 2 years old, and we are expecting a baby this summer. We plan to put the two boys in a room together, but my husband and I are disagreeing about beds. My husband thinks they should have bunk beds, because the room is kind of small and this will free up some space. I think they should have their own twin beds (the oldest has one now, the youngest is still in a crib) mostly because of safety, and I still think there will be enough room for them to play. Any advice from parents in similar situations? What did you do? What do you think about bunk beds?

Answer 1

Bunk Beds are great for saving space. My two girls (7 & 2) were in bunk beds when we were in an apartment. Unfortunately it does offer the opportunity for lots of climbing for toddlers and jumping from the top bunk for the heroic(keep in mind that the younger kids do what the older kids do). My girls gave me multiple heart attacks with their antics so I'm sure that boys will do the same, if not more. With another baby on the way I wouldn't recommend bunk beds.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

I was in the same spot! I have a 6, 4, and 2 year old...and we went with bunk beds. We have a great one by step 2 that is plastic, and my then 2 year old never fell out of (on the bottom of course!). We are now getting ready to move and I am looking to getting different bunk beds, (my youngest 2 are girls, the older a boy). You could always go with the traditional wood bunk beds that seperate into 2 twin beds for when they are older and you have more room!

Answer 4

We have three sets of bunkbeds, and love them. We bought the first set when our third child was born, the oldest was four and slept on top, the middle was 18 months and slept on the bottom. We just had a safety rail on the bottom, and the top comes with rails. The kids have fallen off of them, but usually when that happens it's no big deal. no worse than falling down on the playground. I would think it's fairly rare to have a brain hemorhage when that happens. ;-)

Everyone we know has bunkbeds, we have certain rules for safety, no playing on the top bunk, one person at a time up there, etc. Our littlest boys are now five and three, and there is no fighting about who sleeps on top, they know their beds and want to sleep in their own beds. The girls are seven and eight, and they take turns by the week sleeping on top. My son has his own room, with a bunk bed, he sleeps on top and the bottom is for people who spend the night, or if a sibling wants to sleep in there over night.

Anyway, I would say it's worth it, if they are sharing a room to save space with bunkbeds. It's either that or step on hotwheels and lego's every time you go in to tuck them in, because there won't be any room to play without spreading into the hallway and dining room (or whatever is closest to their bedroom). Oh, and the two year old really should be out of a crib, he's way too big. I'd buy the beds now, so that they don't associate it with the baby, and have each of them pick out a new comforter to make the beds their own. You'll need the time now to adjust the little one to sleeping in a bed without rails, he's used to being constrained and I'm positive that he'll test the limits.

Answer 5

Two twin beds won't take up too much space. If you get them bunk beds and make them share a room you will have to deal with the nightmare of who gets to sleep on top when they are both old enough to voice such an opinion. My nephews play this game now and I think it is really idiotic that they switch out each month. What ever happened to having your own bed? Switching back and forth because little boys love the adventure of sleeping up in the air is one more bedtime ritual I would do without if I was you. If they want to sleep in bunk beds, send them to camp. You also won't have to deal with making a bed that is 6 feet above ground.

Answer 6

My kids started sleeping in bunk beds when they were 5 and 2. Kids need all the room they can get. I found low bunk beds, they are just over 5 feet tall. They can separate into twin beds. I did not really like the idea at first, but I could not imagine life without them.

Answer 7

If the boys spend a lot of time playing in their room then bunk beds will be worth their weight in gold, especially when the new baby comes, if all they do is sleep in their room then it really doesn't matter about the space issue and twin beds will be fine.
We had bunk beds for my first 2 children, as space was an issue, and they were fine, so long as some basic ground rules regarding safety are enforced you will be fine.

Answer 8

They are definitely too young for standard bunk beds. However two twin beds now that can be converted to bunks later would be an economical option. Maxtrix makes a great bed that has unlimited possibilities for reinvention. Another option would be a twin bed with a trundle. Trundles are great for later on when you have overnight guests.

Answer 9

i think bunk beds would be a fun idea. i have two girls and i'm pregnant with my 3rd. we will most likely be doing the bunk bed thing. however my oldest is 6 so there really isn't much of a safety issue there. it all comes down to what you are most comfortable with.

Answer 10

not a parent yet...but i thought i'd try helping.
when i was little all i ever wanted was bunk beds with my sister cuz i thought they were really cool. but then i went over a friends house who did have bunks n i fell out of the top one!! anyway, i agree with u, its not very safe having such young children in bunks, especially the 2 yr old. why dnt u measure the crib n bed and draw on paper where things could go to give the most space?
oh and congrats on the baby...hope u dnt mind me saying but i hope its a girl...2 older brothers to look out for her!