Tips for room sharing (children)

[Goostacean]

We have 2 DSs, currently 2.5yo and 5mo. DH would like them to share a bedroom, but I remain somewhat unconvinced and have no experience of sharing a room. Any tips? When and how?

Are you able to offer them a room each? If so I would. The 5mo is likely to still wake/ go through regressions and interrupt the sleep of the 2.5 yo. Also 5mo should really be with you until 6 mo.

Mine shared a room from exactly this age. The eldest has her own lovely room and refused to sleep in their after her little brother went into his own room. She slept on the sofa bed in his room for about 3 months before we gave in and just put her bed in there and it’s been that way ever since. As a consequence they can both sleep through anything! It makes it easier when we go on holiday. I think it actually does kids a favour to have experience of sharing. I never shared a room and now I can’t even share a room on girls weekends or anything as I can’t relax knowing someone else is in the room. I also had a nightmare on school trips and guide camp etc as had to sleep near other people. I was very keen not to pass on my preciousness about sleeping space.

It does depend on how they sleep though I guess. The younger one is an incredible sleeper, I don’t think he has ever woken in the night so have never disturbed her. I don’t know if it’s that he’s a great sleeper or that sharing with her has helped him be a great sleeper? He definitely gets comfort from her being there as he says he misses her if she goes for a sleepover. We know it won’t last forever as next year she may want her own room but it’s worked well for years! (Ps we have 4 bedrooms and 3 kids so they could each have a room if they wanted)

I agree with pp that there are lots of benefits to sharing. My dc have shared since the younger one was out of a cot. Oldest is now a teen, there is a spare bedroom available, but both still prefer to share at present. Their cousins also share, and they do have some friends who share.
I think choosing to have your children to share is very different to having to do it because there isn't another bedroom - especially when they are older, because it means there is enough room in the house for everyone to still have their own space.
If you do have two rooms, I would have both set up for the children - a playroom and a shared bedroom for example.
That way children actually get more space, albeit shared. They have two rooms in which to play together, but they each have a retreat to be alone.
I wouldn't do it until the younger one reliably sleeps through the night though.