to think nearly £1,000 is too much for a child's bed?!

[threeleftfeet]

A very kind relative has offered to buy DS a new bed when he grows out of his toddler cot-bed, which will be fairly soon. this one

While on the one hand I'm delighted (and not half as much as DS would be!) it costs the best part of a grand! That's more than I think any of our possessions actually cost!

We spent less than that on our last car (about half as much on the one before.)
We're pretty skint atm. It seems obscene to spend so much on a bed! Our own bed was £300 and that was a luxury purchase for us. Most of our furniture is off ebay or from IKEA and cost under £40.

Would it be churlish to say "Thanks but why don't you buy a cheaper bed for DS, and spend the rest on some other useful stuff for him? Or put it in an account for him perhaps?".

That sticks in my throat though, it seems really unkind to turn a gift down.

I suppose I can see the funny side of DS's bed being the most expensive item in the house! I wouldn't resent it one bit, it just seems obscene! I didn't know you could spend a grand on a child's bed

WWYD?

For that kind of money, I would get Stompa we had a second hand one and it was amazing

We've got the bed with the turrets for ds1. He loves it (although the turret didn't last long). What is good is that the slide and fabric drapes can be taken off when he is too old for it (although at 6 there is no sign of that yet). Does the John Lewis one have this option? If not I would go with the cheaper version (which is proper solid wood and strong enough for an adult to sleep in)

I would get a bed that would last his whole childhood - that bed will surely be too childish for anyone over about 8?

I agree, EssentialFattyAcid. He'll be as tall as the slide in no time. And I can't imagine how annoying it would be to change the sheets.