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Original poster

HELP PLEASE 3 years old and 4 beds destroyed

48 replies

starshaker · 08/07/2014 13:32

I have 3 year old twins. So far between them they have broken 4 beds. I dont know what to do, I cant keep buying beds i just cant afford it. Please help

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ouryve · 08/07/2014 13:34

Mattresses on the floor?

Probably a lot safer, too, if they're a bit energetic, at times.

lougle · 08/07/2014 13:37

How are they destroying them?

If it's in the day time then don't allow them in their rooms unsupervised.

If it's at night then mattresses on the floor is a good solution.

What happens when they destroy them?

momb · 08/07/2014 13:40

are you buying them cot beds?
I can't understand what they can be doing to break them if you are buying normal beds. Bouncing?

If so, buy them a tent bed: it has a tent/fort/etc over the top to hide in for play, but there's no height for bouncing?

Now they are three you could get them a cabin bed each with playhouse/storage under: it's a bit high for bouncing comfortably.

Original poster
starshaker · 08/07/2014 13:42

They climb onto the headboard and jump off, ive caught them jumping off the windowsill. They break the slats by jumping. The headboard has been detached because of it too. It just feels wrong putting them on the floor without beds

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Original poster
starshaker · 08/07/2014 13:44

They have been out their cost since they were nearly 2. They are now nearly 4 so thats a bed a year

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FreeLikeABird · 08/07/2014 13:44

How about a divan bed, no slats on them.

steppemum · 08/07/2014 13:45

It is quite simple.
They cannot behave with a real bed, therefore they get mattresses on the floor.

If I found mine jumping off the headboard/windowsill on to the bed, I would not have replaced it.

(mean mother)

Buy them a trampoline and ban bouncing on beds/sofas etc. By the time they are 5 you will have nothing left

FreeLikeABird · 08/07/2014 13:45

Also you can get diva beds without headboards.

FreeLikeABird · 08/07/2014 13:45

*divan

Original poster
starshaker · 08/07/2014 13:49

The first 2 were divans. I was thinking about bunks but I dont want to spend X amount then they get wrecked too.

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bearwithspecs · 08/07/2014 13:50

Mine have metal frame beds - they withstand the jumping ( exactly the same) and are just fine - about £80 to buy one of these beds - this type

www.tesco.com/direct/hyder-solar-bed-frame/671-1796.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=671-1796

jinyefurniture.en.alibaba.com/product/860690509-219095647/Single_metal_bed_frame.html

momb · 08/07/2014 13:52

Inexpensive divens are essentially cardboard over less slats than on a conventional bedstead: more likely to break. I agree with the others. Tell them to stop immediately and provide other bouncing/jumping opportunties.
Buy solid pine frames with slats and replace slats as necessary: much cheaper than replacing the whole bed.
Is their bedroom also their playroom? I'd be pulling out the toys and having the bedrrom for reading/sleeping only until they get out of the idea of messing about in there.
and again: cabin beds or tents.

Rooble · 08/07/2014 13:52

I'm with Steppum - if they can't be trusted with beds, give them mattresses on the floor.
Don't let them play there unsupervised if you can't trust them not to trash the furniture. Accidents do happen, but if you haven't learned by the time you've had the fourth accident then I'm inclined to stop believing they are accidents.
Try to take control of your children before they start school because things aren't going to miraculously improve I'm afraid

Artandco · 08/07/2014 13:55

I would just give mattresses tbh until thy have learnt it's not acceptable to jump on furniture. In 6 months time review their behaviour and maybe buy a bed.

Can I ask what the consequences are of bouncing/ breaking things? Mine are 3 and 4 and still sleep in cot bed with side off. They would be more horrified than me if they got broken I think.

nilbyname · 08/07/2014 13:59

Yy to mattresses on the floor. Push them up against the walls get some nice big cushions and cover them with funky fabric. Job done, much safer for everyone!

Also sleeping on the floor is very Japanese. Consider it a cultural experience!

Original poster
starshaker · 08/07/2014 14:00

There isnt anywhere else for them to play. Their room or nowhere. My children are well behaved at school and mostly at home. It is just at bed time I have issues. How do you suggest i control them. Hit them? Scream at them? Not let them play?

Accidents do happen, but if you haven't learned by the time you've had the fourth accident then I'm inclined to stop believing they are accidents. not sure what you mean by this. There are 2 of them its not like i bought a bed, allowed them to wreck it then bought another then another then another. Its been gradual over time. The 2 beds just gave up yesterday.

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Original poster
starshaker · 08/07/2014 14:02

this is what they have

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bearwithspecs · 08/07/2014 14:05

My two are very excitable and also think its a great game to jump from the window sill onto the bed etc . Its easy to say tell them not to do it, but they love it so as soon as I am not looking they are up there.
Both my DC climbed and jumped from a very early age - one is 4.5 and one is 3. The higher the bed the more fun it is.

Unless you have a proper climbing jumping child it is hard to understand how irresistible it is to them. Mine also play the game of how far they can jump / how many stairs can they jump down at any opportunity. They have the odd collision or nasty bump but never stops them.

They are both angels at school / nursery.

loopylady83 · 08/07/2014 14:07

dont tell me I have this to look forward to my twins are 2 and just gone into big girls beds and already jump off the windowsill on ti them Sad

naturalbaby · 08/07/2014 14:07

Crikey. I have 3 boys and they are absolutely not allowed to jump on/off beds and sofas for this reason.
How do I control them - I don't let them do it! I tell them not to, I get them to tell me the rule, I physically lifted them off when they were younger, I remind them beds are for sleeping and I had a mini trampoline in the lounge so the minute they tried to stand on the sofa I told them to jump on the trampoline. Kids work better when you tell them what they can do, rather than focus on what they can't do.

I'd get rid of the beds and tell them they're sleeping on the floor till they can learn to use their beds properly.

Buy a trampoline.

bearwithspecs · 08/07/2014 14:07

starshaker - I am right there with you. Mine also tip the matresses off to make a slide. Look at my links re metal bed frames - indestructible. I actually got mine 2nd hand off gumtree.

nilbyname · 08/07/2014 14:08

My friend has twins and they are pretty nuts at bed time. They wreck drawers, pull clothes out of everywhere, strip off, strip the beds. Maybe it's a twin thing?

momb · 08/07/2014 14:09

Is it just the slats that have gone? If so you can buy planks relatively inexpensively to chop up and repair the beds.

Once the mesh starts to go it's really hard to get the tension again.
If it's just the headboard, saw it off and rebolt the legs independently. There is no need to buy a new bed every time if you catch it soon enough.

I'd suggest that the toys live in big tubs and at bedtime they come out of the room with you. It sounds as if bedtime has become a game for them. Of course don't hit or scream at them but don't let them wreck your home either. You sound like you are at the end of your tether with them: we're just suggesting strategies which might calm bedtime down.