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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Comments about toddlers in double beds

200 replies

User135792468 · 21/01/2022 20:40

I have a 4 and 2.5 year old and the 4 year old has had a double bed bed since he came out of the cot bed so I could use it for ds2. A few weeks back, we decided that it was time to get ds2 his first proper bed and also went for a double.

The amount of comments I’ve had about how a toddler doesn’t need a double bed and a bit of an eye roll that I got them one is starting to irritate me. I don’t understand why people care? We like the doubles as we lay in bed and read books before bed and the dc like having sleepovers with each other. It seems as though people think it’s an odd way to one-up someone though.

To clarify, I wasn’t discussing it, just had friends over for a play date who then saw it and mentioned it in a bigger group of friends when we were out and it became a topic of conversation. There’s plenty of space for wardrobes and floor space to play so I don’t get the issue.

Is it that odd to have a double bed for young dc who are either pre school or primary age? What does everyone else have out of curiosity?

Yabu - yes, toddlers really don’t need a double bed

Yanbu - people need to mind their own business

OP posts:
parietal · 21/01/2022 22:03

it would never occur to me to give kids a double bed. I had a single until I was 20 something because we lived in central London (home / uni) because I mostly had a tiny room with no space for more than a single. we still live in that kind of space and there doesn't seem to be any need for a bigger bed. it would only make more laundry.

girafferafferaffe · 21/01/2022 22:05

@VoyageInTheDark

I used to have a double bed as a small child because I used to wake my mum up every night and make her come in with me
This is what my dd does to me!
ALifeofChaos · 21/01/2022 22:06

My daughter tosses and turns, doing a complete 360 most nights. After trying and failing for years to get her to sleep in her own bed and not wake 5/6 times a night until around 3.5, we moved her into the guest room which had a double - in part, as it had more toy space! She sleeps like a dream in there!

Her baby sister won't have that luxury. The third bedroom only takes a single so praying she'll not be an awful sleeper!

Reallycantbesarsed · 21/01/2022 22:06

My granddaughter will go into small double when she leaves her cot. Children, from my experience generally play in main living area rather than their bedroom. As long as there is room for storage space I think a bigger bed is a sensible option rather than playing space

Ploppy1322 · 21/01/2022 22:06

I have 2 kids under 4 and they both have double beds, it's the only way any of us get any sleep.

Wafflesnsniffles · 21/01/2022 22:06

To me its weird - my teenagers have single beds, doubles seems like extra washing, more of a faff to make the beds up, more expense to purchase etc - but its your house, your kids, your extra effort, money etc........ and totally nowt to do with me!

mumpants · 21/01/2022 22:07

Both mine had double beds until recently. Great for when people stay over.

CatherinedeBourgh · 21/01/2022 22:08

Mine both had doubles because they were awful sleepers and I would lie with them when they were unsettled.

no one ever commented on it.

DarkDarkNight · 21/01/2022 22:12

My son’s had a double since he came out of his cot bed and as long as I had space I would always have a double or king for him.

I lay in it every night to read to him and the extra space is just so much more comfortable. It is invaluable when he is ill and wants me with him, and he loves to sprawl on it when he is playing.

SomethingSuss · 21/01/2022 22:14

All my kids have doubles and have done since they were early primary age (didn't have space before we moved). Why bother with the toddler beds that need replacing then the single beds which will also need replacing? We just bought quality double beds that would last. That means plenty of room for friend sleepovers, the siblings can share when they want (as mine often do) and if guests are coming, any of the kids rooms can be converted to a guest room for adults to sleep in because they have a suitable bed.
Plus, I just had covid so DH moved out of our room and shared with DS and DS bloody loved it!

I don't think it's odd for a toddler to have a double bed but it's even odder for someone to comment negatively on it. Why would a kids bed choice be an issue?

nanbread · 21/01/2022 22:15

@FluffMagnet

Yep we've got doubles for ours straight from the cot, as have some of our friends. We had the doubles already as rooms had been guest rooms pre-babies and it seemed ridiculous to get rid of perfectly good beds for singles that would undoubtedly need replacing again with new doubles when they become teenagers!
Same.
saraclara · 21/01/2022 22:17

It seems odd to me, but then I don't mix in circles where people have second/third bedrooms big enough to have double beds and space to play.

In going to guess that it's a well off middle class mumsnet thing.

AutomaticMoon · 21/01/2022 22:18

Even if toddlers don’t need double bed, how is it any skin of their nose?! How bizarre.

justasking111 · 21/01/2022 22:20

We've bought a new double for grandchildren who sleep over, sometimes one wakes up but seeing siblings settle down again.

Our two had bunk beds when younger they wouldn't sleep apart. Then into doubles, useful for sleepovers and guests

Georgeskitchen · 21/01/2022 22:23

My cousin had a double bed as a child and I was mega jealous

Aaaa1167336 · 21/01/2022 22:25

Never ever heard of it nor seen it in any of my social circles in a number of countries. Seems completely bizarre. How could a child feel it was their room with an adult bed in it?

Aaaa1167336 · 21/01/2022 22:26

I think I would be embarrassed to show someone my house if my DC room had double beds in them.

lastchristmasigaveyoumyheart · 21/01/2022 22:27

Well I think it's a good idea if it still leaves enough space for the child to play and as long as there is a housekeeper to change the bedding every week.

Hugasauras · 21/01/2022 22:29

@Aaaa1167336

Never ever heard of it nor seen it in any of my social circles in a number of countries. Seems completely bizarre. How could a child feel it was their room with an adult bed in it?
Because they sleep in it and all their stuff is there? Confused Are your comments a joke?
FairyLightQueen · 21/01/2022 22:29

I think it's a fab idea, particularly for toddlers who are transitioning to their own rooms after bedsharing, or for when children get sick, or when guests visit!

lastchristmasigaveyoumyheart · 21/01/2022 22:30

Hate changing beds. The bigger it is the more I hate it!!

As for the waste of buying a single only to change it to a double... if the slats aren't broken from your child repeatedly jumping on it, then you'd either sell it or give it away! Who throws out a single bed (obviously the mattress may need to be) if there's nothing wrong with it?!

Droppit · 21/01/2022 22:30

I don’t know anyone whose child (under say 15) has a double bed but might just be the limited circles I mix in 🤷‍♀️
So for me, I would say it’s odd because it’s rare but can see the upsides (and downsides).

Hellolittlestar · 21/01/2022 22:32

Probably said out of jealousy as they don’t have the space? I absolutely love our double bed for a 3 year old exactly for the reason that we can cuddle up and read stories and I can sleep next to her if she’s not feeling well.

Aaaa1167336 · 21/01/2022 22:32

@ Hugasauras no my comments are not a joke. A child’s room should have a child’s bed. I have no idea when this double bed thing started and who these people are who do it. Seems a pity not to have a proper child’s bedroom just because people want to save money on a single bed.

User387598621 · 21/01/2022 22:34

More bedding to wash especially if there is any bed wetting, that would put me off