To be surprised these children don’t have proper beds?

[FlappyValley]

Out of DC’s friends whose houses we’ve visited, I’ve seen three who don’t have proper beds, just a mattress on the floor. I’m really surprised because these aren’t poor families by any means (professional jobs, foreign holidays, nice clothes, etc) and the parents all have beds themselves! AIBU to think a bed is one of the most basic things you’d buy your child if your standard of living is generally good? Or is this totally normal?

Not being rude (well actually I probably am) but did you not think to stop after the first (or 2nd if twins) if you couldn’t afford a basic thing such as a bed?

But a bed takes up the same space as a mattress?

Would you have bought beds if you had fewer children @thismamayogi

I don’t think I’ve ever been in DD’s friends bedrooms to notice.

and?

Wow. You basically cannot afford beds (and even bedding from the sound of things) yet you have 5 kids.

Montessori is a style of parenting that promotes this, the idea is they have a floor bed they cannot fall out of which means they can get in/ out themselves from an early age and are less likely to hurt themselves as a result. Also means that if they wake early they can play in their room rather than crying to be let out of bed. It's also used by families who cosleep with their kids as a means to do this safely. My guess is they've been doing it since they were young and the kids are now used to a floor bed. Not a reflection of income at all

Mine slept for months on a mattress on the floor whilst we were waiting for the new bed frame to come (larger size than before) it was quite nice being at that level.

but, if it was for long term I’d expect a slatted frame underneath just to raise it an inch to get airflow. I believe the ikea slats come on a frame and can be used for this.

As a parent you only need your child to fall out of bed once, bashing their skull to want to do something about it. If you can buy the bed + the guard to prevent this all well and good, however that has its own issues: people can't easily sit on the bed etc... Sticking the mattress on the floor solves the problem and - perhaps due to laziness and other things to spend money on - we have only just got proper beds for both children after some years, and mainly for the extra storage space underneath. Also, in an attic room there's not much point in having a proper bed if the mattress sits directly below the ceiling. it's not gaining you anything.

I can say that the slats come that way. That’s what we’ve and have used for 5 years. Still we move the mattress many times to let air flow

It seems like the Japanese futon style. As long as children have a mattress and bedding. I don’t see a problem.

I think this is one of those things whereby if you're middle class, it's a slightly eccentric but ultimately fine parenting decision whereas if you're working class, you're a feckless, neglectful parent.

Not ideal because the frame supports the mattress, and allows air circulation underneath - mattresses get hot, sweaty, damp etc - I’d have thought it’s unideal to have them on the floor.

If it’s a new trend I’m delighted to say it’s passed me by!

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

My partner and I have a mattress on our floor, and our youngest does also.

Many years ago our bed broke and we could not afford another. We grew to actually like it and now don't have a bed by choice.

I think you need to observe the room as a whole, if it's literally just a mattress and nothing else then yeah there are issues hahaha.

I think you mean those Scandi tent type beds that are low on the ground. You sound very uneducated try Googling Montessori benefits.
These households probably judge your way of living equally…

Who would follow a child into their parents room though? It’s really odd, intrusive behaviour

You can’t even tell if a mattress has an ikea luroy bed frame under it if the bed’s fully made up.

Financially makes sense. - Why buy a bedframe when all you need is a mattress.
I must admit I only have mattress on the floor, but floor is hardwood not carpet.. couldn't do it with carpet.

You'd have to wonder how bed manufacturers make a penny. So many posters rushing on to say "but nobody needs a bed, why bother?"
Millions of people bother 🤷🏻‍♀️

My toddler has a bed but his favourite place to sleep is on his old cot mattress (with a sheet and blanket) on the floor. I think he prefers it because it's like the nap mats at nursery (he always naps really well there).

Unless you can’t afford it, buy your kids a damn bed.

Weirdos.

Tell that to the people of Japan, Mongolia, Africa, India. and so on and on and on…….
There are people on here from many countries

But most posters are insisting it's a Montessori thing, not a cultural thing.

Not for the people of so many other countries.
Not for me or my family
Surely people can do whatever they like, no one needs to make excuses as long as no one is being hurt.

Democracy