Kids sharing a room...?

Question

i got a 2 yr old and an almost 3 mo old... the 3 mo old likes to sleep in her crib in their room, the 2 yr old has been sleeping with us for a onth now and i wanna move her back in, but im afraid she will try getting in the crib with the baby since she has before, or that the baby will keep the 2 yr old up because she whines in her sleep alot... what would be a good way to get my room back and have them safely together in their own room?

Answer 1

I'm a heavy sleeper, and I would be concerned that the two year old would get in the crib without my knowledge. I would consider putting the crib and the three month old in my room, and moving the two year old to her own room until you can trust them to safely share a room together, or until the infant is a year or so old and less likely to be injured by her sister climbing in. Good luck!

Answer 2

Please realize that you are in charge...not your kids. And nothing is done easily....you are just beginning...but that is very important.
Because your child is always going to try to be in charge. In the first place you have things backwards.....

The two year old should be in her room. The baby moved in when it's a good time. It's much easier to have the baby in the room with you than the older child who needs to know where she belongs.

The baby is the new addition and can sleep in a smaller bed for awhile...when you move the baby in with the 2 year old....can be whenever you want.

If the "crib" is a smaller one for awhile, the 2 year old won't fit in it as well...and you need to be firm that "this is the baby's bed"...but you are a big girl...so "you get to have a bigger bed"...it's all in how you approach it...and in what you insist is going to happen...and enforce it. It would also fit better in your own room for a short time if that is what you need to do...

You cannot say "I am afraid the 2 year old will.....because it is up to you to set the rules....and see that they are enforced. You are the one in charge.

And you are also hurting your own relationship with your husband by letting the 2 year old have control when your husband is I'm sure by this time pretty unhappy...even if he isn't saying so.

So to get this changed....if you have to...move the baby out....and into something smaller in your room, and get the 2 year old settled in her room....then move the smaller bed in for awhile.....borrow one if you have to....put the larger crib in later when the 2 year old has adjusted to the changes....and when the 2 year old goes to bed....be firm.

Use some strategies...like a glass of milk, stories on your lap before bedtime...music played in her room...even sit by her for a few minutes until she goes to sleep...but don't talk....let her know it is "going to sleep time". Children will accept what you set up...but not always instantly...they will "test you out" to see if you mean it or if they can talk you out of it. Use "you are bigger"...you are old enough"....even a reward system for when they have slept in the new bed for a week, etc.....

It will work! And also keep in mind that the 2 year old is still a baby too and is feeling all the changes with a new baby in the house getting all the attention.

So give her some priority time....like before bedtime...that is "her" time and she won't fight so much leaving your room...

You need to do this now, because if you delay it is only going to get harder.

Answer 3

When my brother was born we had two separate rooms for exactly the same reasons you don't want to move your 2 month old back in. So I suggest you have them sleep separately, maybe keep the 2 year old in your room or move the crib in your room and have the 3 mos old sleep with you. Then you can eventually move them back in together. But you need to explain to the 2 year old that they have their bed and the baby has its own bed.

Answer 4

Your not getting anything back, children tend to overwhelm and claim everything in their household as their own. Privacy is a luxury item, and very valuable for young parents, and the issue of sleeping arrangements varies with each home based on many potential issues. One alternative is to move the crib into your room and put the two year old in the "big kids" room. Good luck.

Answer 5

I always let my kids sleep w/us.We had a big bed and it never hurt anything.After they gain security of being w/you they do get to like their own bed!Kids suffer from separation anxiety at bedtime when they are little.I know all the supposed experts say it is a bad thing it is not! If you have worked all day and p/u kids feed dinner,bathe then bedtime you only average about 15 hours per week w/your kids!!That is not alot of time for a little person!You can move them once they are asleep but some kids will wander back to you later on the eve.The earliest civilizations and pioneers all slept in same place for warmth.

Answer 6

Well Jen...

The only thing I can tell you is to just do it.Although I didn't have the same problem I did have something similar.I was single when I had my daughter.When she was about 17 months old I met my husband.My daughter was still sleeping with me in my bed.When we moved into my hubby's apartment she was still sleeping in our room but he bought her a toddler bed and made ME keep her there through the night.She didn'tlike it at first but now I wouldn't have it any other way.

It might help your daughter if she can pick out some big girl sheets and ask her if her sister can have the crib now.

Answer 7

My daughters share a room and at first it was a hassle because my older daughter would try to climb in the crib. I just put a monitor in there so I could hear when she woke up. I'd just make sure she stayed in her bed at night. My daughters were older though (1 & 2). Just invest in a monitor and learn to sleep lightly. Now, they still climb in each other's bed sometimes.

Answer 8

im in a similar pickle.i think u should give it ago with both of them sharing a room and it doesnt work out then maybe the baby should come in with you instead. so the oldest learns to sleep in their own room then try again once they are settled.

Answer 9

i dont think its wise to put them in the same room ,2 yr olds are way too small to know good frm bad .she might get in and harm the lil one unknowingly,u might wanna have the 3 mon old in u r room .i wouldnt take chances and repent later

Answer 10

Just try it and they might surprise you. My infant sleeps better since we moved the two girls together. Sorry I don't have any 'tricks' for you, this transistion went well for us.