Large bedroom/small nursery or large nursery/small bedroom/

[PavlovtheForgetfulCat]

We currently have 2 bedrooms, one is a good sized double room (our bedroom) and one is a tiny weeny box room (DDs bedroom). There is DH and I, DD aged 3 and new baby on the way)

When our loft conversion is finished in around 2 months, the loft will be our bedroom. We had automatically presumed DD would go into the double bedroom, and the new baby when it arrives would be with us initially and the small bedroom would be the 'nursery' as in - changing table etc, then baby would go in here when it leaves our room.

However. We are now mulling over the following:

We keep DD in the small bedroom, as just a bedroom. No toys or anything (well obviously the odd thing, not a bare room!) and make the double bedroom into a proper 'nursery' with her toys in, and the changing table etc for the baby. The reason we are thinking this might be a good idea is that when I am changing new baby, or having some quiet bf time, I can do this and DD can still be part of it, can play with her toys if she does not want to be actively involved in what I am doing but still have space to be there. I can read them both stories and sing them both songs, ensuring DD gets my time even when baby need my attention.

Where, if this double room is DDs bedroom, and the small room is the 'nursery' then it will either seperate DD and baby as in I will need to change new baby etc etc, and then give dd some time. Or, will not use the little room at all anyway as will end up in front room or DDs bedroom anyway!

If the small room was bigger it would not really be an issue as one would be the nursery/play room and one would be bedroom anyway.

What is your setup at home? What works for you?

[Lizzylou]

What about if your DD wants to play and your baby is asleep in their nursery?
I'd say big room should be bedroom for your DD, she'll be of an age that she can play upstairs independently soon (if not already?).

[PavlovtheForgetfulCat]

oh sorry should have been clearer - baby will sleep with us for first year.

But i see what you mean, when baby moves into own room...then the big room would become dd's room.

I guess i am thinking in the first 6 months-year.

(ideally, they will both share the big room if we are still here when they are older, but thats for the future to decide

And also should be clearer - its a flat, so all rooms apart from loft are on same level. [doh]

[Lizzylou]

Aaah, OK.
So, Nursery can be big room, for first year then make it into DD's room after that?
She will be older then anyway and can help you to choose decor?

[PavlovtheForgetfulCat]

yes, that is what i am thinking.

However, she is quite excited at prospect of having 'mummy and daddy's room' as her own .

Oh the things we stress about eh?

[Twims]

I would proably put dd in the room closest to the entrance to the loft so that you can hear her - just wondering how you will get up to your room as feel that dd might be upset that the baby comes and you all bugger off up to the loft and leave her all alone

[PavlovtheForgetfulCat]

thats a good point - maybe we will all end up in the loft!!! . Both bedroom doors currently face into the same part of the hallway that will house the staircase to the loft, so they are both the same distance away. Luckily, the loft will be done a couple of months before the baby is due, so whatever we decide will be in place before baby arrives so DD does not link it with the baby. But, I guess, if it is a problem for her and she feels left out, having DD with us for a few weeks would not be out of the question.

[PavlovtheForgetfulCat]

I just mentioned it to DH, about DD possibly being upset and he said he has vaguely considered it might happen and if it does, he is happy for DD to come in with us to start and do the move gradually.

[Firawla]

i would give dd the big bedroom, and small nursery for new baby, we have a toddler and expecting new baby and that is what we plan to do when moving house

[PavlovtheForgetfulCat]

Yes, you are probably right. I mean, its not like its fixed. We can move it around once baby is here.