Child sleeps on a mattress on the floor

[Ovenpizzasarerank]

Went for dinner and a playdate with my Ds new friend. Mum is very nice, child lovely. Ds called me upstairs to show me his friends lego building and his bed was a mattress on the floor, is this normal? Mum very bohemian, house very messy and not well looked after-I am not judging and these things don't bother me, my house needs painting and some new furniture, so I get it, but is a mattress as a bed ok?

It’s very Montessori to have a floor bed. Maybe they are following that philosophy ?

When she hasn’t even bothered to put a bottom sheet on, I think daily airing is unlikely 🤷‍♀️

What was the reason for that if you don’t mind me asking?

I also feel like I'm going mad reading this thread! Of course not every child's bedroom will have a theme, but I'm sure lots do! When they're younger this is usually however the parents chose to decorate their nursery/bedroom (common themes include jungle or woodland animals, Winnie the Pooh or Beatrix Potter). When they're a bit older it might be unicorns or cars or football.

My child slept on a mattress on the floor for a few months in our room due to anxiety, however it was made up fully and lifted off the floor during the day to air. CAMHS, and school were aware, and also aware she did have her own bed and it was a temporary situation while her anxiety was high, so everyone in the house could sleep and function. However they did regularly ask about DDs sleeping situation.

My nephew has a ‘floor bed’, which is essentially a mattress on the floor with a frame around it. It was custom made but only because it’s a double size as my sister or her husband lay with him until he drops off. (He’s never slept through apart from 3 times in his 3 years)!🙈

Could the little one have a bedwetting issue and the bed was mid- change? Or at times some people have one set of sheets? Maybe in wash? Floor bed sounds montessori, especially with boho types.

DH and I slept for a couple of years on a mattress on the floor when a leg broke on the bed. We had two young DC at the time and at least they couldn't hurt themselves falling off it. I think it's fine!

I have never, ever seen a child’s bedroom “themed” in jungle, woodland, Winnie the Pooh, Beatrix Potter, football or cars designs or patterns, etc etc. My DC had green stripey duvet covers, plain cream walls and cream curtains. That seems very normal to me. Their friends had similar - no themes at all. When they got older they could pick the colour of the walls, but there was no “themed”.

Had anyone considered that the pack of sheets might be weather related? For the past few weeks it has been hot and my kids have disbanded their use of duvets, using just a sheet,and blanket or empty duvet cover at night. I work in a hospital and some of our patients have sensory issues and refuse to use sheets, using a blanket straight on the mattress. Some also put the mattress on the floor, as they prefer it that way.

I had a period sleeping on a mattress on the floor as a kid. And for a while shared it with my sister. Bed broke and we had no money for a new one for a while. I liked it, and later when I was a student I did the same thing again for a while. I had a partner who also had their bed on the floor - just a mattress with a mosquito net over it. Then later I had a terrible futon and after a while got rid of it and you guessed it... mattress on the floor time again. I don't think its that uncommon. Wouldn't bother me if someday I do it again.

My parents slept on a mattress on the floor for most of my childhood.

Only be concerned if there are signs of neglect. You could always ask her in a nice way?

Ask her what? If she neglects her child? 🤔

Some also put the mattress on the floor, as they prefer it that way.
On a hospital ward?? I’m surprised there’s space, for a start.

Is she poor? The charity St Vincent de Paul help with furniture in such circumstances.

If not, the child should have a bed. Cheap at IKEA or British Heart Foundation. As pp said, mattresses on the floor can cause mould/health issues, plus cold in winter.

Can't believe so many people are getting so het up about a child sleeping on a mattress. Seen it plenty of times. When money is tight people compromise. The child seems happy, adequately nourished and secure and hopefully enjoyed showing off his lego model.

Honestly, it makes me sad when people make a big thing of cues like this, whether they are pitying or judging. I've got friends and relatives who were that child. They knew money was tight and they couldn't have a lot of the stuff that some of their peers took for granted. They'd tell you that it mattered much less than having a brilliant mum who loved them, backed them and found ways to make sure they didn't miss out when it really mattered. As adults they are resourceful and grounded. They'd be truly angry if anyone criticised their mum and look back with some awe on her budgeting and how well they were shielded from the money struggles.

Maybe they can't afford a bed?

I actually think it's a lot safer! As long as he has a mattress then you can get a good nights sleep. I was even debating getting a family floor bed for us all to sleep in and not have to worry about anyone falling off! (I have bed guards but somehow they still end up slipping through the gap!)

Ive known kids who sleep on mattresses on the floor and never thought anything of it. Without at least a bedsheet to cover though isn't good 😕 It may have been a case of having washed bedding to put on later I hope?

And while she's at it, work into the conversation how many times the towels are washed

Then report back.

MY granddaughter had a floor bed and at times the sheet wasn’t on ie being washed ,removed by the child etc ! Daughter is a SW for child protection so no worries about neglect,just normal family life!

I would be more concerned at you going upstairs in someone else's house because your Son called you up

That's just bloody rude!

She has already clarified that the other mum encouraged her to go up and see the Lego.

This is the 5th time you've told us that the 1st thing she checks is the bed.

I'm thinking that if she's working through a check-list the bed is at the top of the list, not because it's the most important thing, just because something has to be at the top of that list.

Also, I get the impression that she visits regularly as part of the care and support package in place for your DC - does she think she's going to suddenly catch you out as she thinks you're likely to withdraw the bed and bedding that you've so far always provided? I think that would piss me off a bit.