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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not buy teen a double bed?

166 replies

ChristmasTablecloth · 23/06/2018 19:12

My 14 year old needs a new bed.

My 17 year old has a small double bed, I think you call it a queen size or 3/4 bed. It is one of those wooden framed ones which I've actually had for 30 years (obviously several new mattresses in the meantime!).

If I buy my 14 year old the same size bed I will have to get rid of all my single bed bedding.

When the 17 year old leaves home, the 14 year old can have the bigger bed that's fine, and we'll put the single bed in the 17 year old's room.

That's reasonable isn't it?

OP posts:
PurpleCrowbar · 23/06/2018 20:20

It's only really sheets - they can continue to use same duvet & pillow cases - supplement with plain pillowcases in a toning colour if they want more than one pillow on the bed & you/they like things to be matched.

Sheets are cheap as chips!

Box up any single fitted sheets you aren't using as they may well come in handy for single beds at Uni, or just charity shop/animal shelter them.

Otherwise you'll end up with older dc not wanting the single for home visits when they come to visit with bf/gf in tow, so it'll still be causing arguments for years to come!

How about a futon sofa bed? My teenage ds loves his as he can shove it back into a sofa & have space to sit, plus more floorspace, when he has mates round.

Sunshineface123 · 23/06/2018 20:20

If you can afford it definitely get a double. I really can't see why you wouldn't!

brizzledrizzle · 23/06/2018 20:23

I'd get the small double. I'm going to need to do that soon as my youngest is nearly 6 foot and squashed in a single bed given that they like sleep like an octopus. Unfortunately the bedroom is too small for one so not sure how to sort that out yet.

bbqseason · 23/06/2018 20:23

Get a double. What about if they want to both come and stay at weekends with partners once they have left Home? It would be loads easier if they both had doubles. My parents didn't replace the single bed in my room (it didn't need replacing) until I was in my late 20s and had a boyfriend of many years , and they were re doing my bedroom anyway. It was ok for the occasional visit but not ideal - boyfriend had to stay in a separate bedroom.

PurpleCrowbar · 23/06/2018 20:27

Plus if they both have doubles, once older one moves out you'll have a useful double guest room.

I'd just ask 14yo what they want really - set a budget & offer options. They might prefer the smaller footprint of a single anyway if it isn't a big room.

Definitely not worth basing the decision on a few single sheets.

HemanOrSheRa · 23/06/2018 20:30

I can't understand why you wouldn't get a larger bed just for the sake of a bedding set or two? You could really just just a new bottom sheet for the new larger bed if you wanted. And carry on using the single duvet until it needs replacing.

OnionBridie · 23/06/2018 20:32

My children had doubles from a very young age and so do my grandchildren.

And whilst I understand your concerned about the cost of bedding it doesn't actually have to cost a fortune. Bedeckhome has a really good sale on right now with a lot of the higher end bedding having 50 percent off.

TimeToDash · 23/06/2018 20:33

It could be 10 years before the 17 year old leaves home and the 14 year old will see it as unfair. Why not buy her a new double bed now? When they do leave home eventually they'll probably be visiting with partners and you'll need doubles then, may as well get them now?

Chewbecca · 23/06/2018 20:35

Is the only reason that you'd also have to buy new bed clothes?
Can you afford new bed clothes?

If yes to both - YABU.

cholka · 23/06/2018 20:41

Oh wow, are doubles for kids a thing now? Isn't the clue in the name, like they're for two people?

Thatsalritehun · 23/06/2018 20:43

My recommendation is to get double beds as soon as they are out of a cot
Who are all these people who have second and third bedrooms large enough for double beds?!

oblada · 23/06/2018 20:45

Mumsnet is a different world somehow LOL

LilQueenie · 23/06/2018 20:47

Some doubles can be cheaper than singles depending on which you are buying. I would just buy it as you will need to replace the mattress at some point. May as well upgrade now.

PurpleCrowbar · 23/06/2018 20:47

But teenagers won't be kids for long!

If OP gets 30 years out of a bed, then space permitting why not get one big enough for two people in the years to come?

A 14yo is pretty much adult sized or soon will be. I'm nearly 6', & whilst I can sleep perfectly comfortably in a single (eg sharing a twin room with a friend) I'd always buy myself a double.

I'd do the same for a near adult dc - unless they preferred a single & more space in a smallish room.

Ellieboolou27 · 23/06/2018 20:55

Get a double! Poor kid, not asking for the world are they!

OnionBridie · 23/06/2018 20:58

Oh wow, are doubles for kids a thing now? Isn't the clue in the name, like they're for two people?

No. It just means it’s a double sized bed.

adaline · 23/06/2018 20:58

I would buy a double. I found my single really cramped as a teenager!

onceandneveragain · 23/06/2018 20:58

agree with nearly everyone else, as logn as you're not on the breadline and have the space, get a new big bed:

  • the difference in costs between single and queen is small
  • you only need 2 lots of bedding - in a year or two you'd surely have to replace some bedding anyway
  • you can keep the single bedding if you're so determined not to throw it away for if the 17 y/o stays in halls for uni
  • it's going to cause arguments if the older dc comes back in a year and gets shunted back into a small bed while their sibling has their one
  • it's easier if they have bf/gf/friends over
  • when dc do move out they can either take the bed with them or you can keep it for when they come to visit/other guests

to be honest if you've had the other bed for thirty years I would buy two new queen/double beds!
I dread to think how long you've had this single bedding that you don't want to throw out....

Tink2007 · 23/06/2018 21:00

Our eldest DD has had a double bed since she was 8.

AmyLou14 · 23/06/2018 21:02

What kind of bed do you sleep in? A 14 year old is practically fully grown! If you don’t want to get rid of the single bedding buy yourself a single bed and sleep in it and give teen a double. A teenage boy esp is likely to be bigger/get bigger than you quickly and needs to be comfortable. I was in a double from about 10 ish and all my friends kids have went from toddler bed to double/small double.

Oly5 · 23/06/2018 21:04

Oh come on, you can pick up bedding for £15 a set. If he wants a double, get him a double. Also useful for guests

PicaK · 23/06/2018 21:06

Get the double.The single duvet will be fine on it for now so just a few sheets.
Think long term - if their bed at home is the best they'll always come visit!!

mysteryfairy · 23/06/2018 21:12

Of course get the double bed but can’t believe how many people are suggesting putting a single duvet on it! Would be impossible to make the bed look properly made up...that would really annoy me. Anyway ideal time to buy new bedding as all the sales are on.

slovenlys · 23/06/2018 21:14

Get the double, unless you can't afford it

DarkDarkNight · 23/06/2018 21:18

If you have the space bu6 a double or a 3/4. Much more comfortable and better for sleepovers or if you have guests too.

I’m getting my son a new bed soon and it will be a 3/4 or double. He’s younger though and I think it’s more practical for Storytime, future sleepovers or if he’s ill.