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Sharing a bedroom 9 and 5yr olds?

6 replies

crazycycle · 05/01/2023 21:15

Our two DDs are almost 9 and 5. They’ve always had separate rooms. DD2 is often up in the night, every 4/5hrs or so, generally complaining of being alone, nightmares etc. We usually give up at 4-5am and let her crawl into our bed. The disruption to mine and DHs sleep is taking its toll. I should add she wasn’t like this as a baby and really it’s only been since she moved into a single bed at 3yrs.

We have tried night lights, special teddies, gro clocks, gentle music or white noise, later bedtime. The only thing that seems to keep her settled is having someone sleep in with her. I’ve slept next to her many nights but recently we’ve tried putting her in the same room as DD1 (on a trundle pull out bed). When sharing rooms she sleeps through until 5/6am. But the bed arrangements in DD1s room mean there’s no space for much else when the trundle is pulled out.

Am toying with getting bunk beds to make it a bit easier for them to share. But also worry about DD1 having her private space for dressing, reading a bit later in bed etc. also if they share for a year or two, will it be difficult to split them up again when DD1 probably will want lots of privacy.

Anyone got experience of siblings sharing and if so how old were they when they stopped? Any tips? Or should we keep persevering with getting DD2 to stay in her own room.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
PuttingDownRoots · 05/01/2023 21:18

First question... would DD1 be happy sharing?

crazycycle · 05/01/2023 21:20

DD1 enjoys having her in her room, most of the time. They shared most of the Christmas holidays but did look slightly relieved when we said back to own bedrooms for the start of school.

OP posts:
Eastereggsboxedupready · 05/01/2023 21:22

Maybe agree she can share with dd1 at the week ends if she can stay in her own bed during the week...

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Doveyouknow · 05/01/2023 21:30

My two Ds's share and they are 11 and 7. There is the option for them to be separate but they prefer to share. We have reading lights/ kindles so they don't disturb each other when one is reading and the other is sleeping. Tbh you could send a marching band through their room once they are asleep and they wouldn't stir so not sure it's needed..

SpinningFloppa · 05/01/2023 21:31

Lots of kids share I’m sure it will be fine

MixedCouple · 11/01/2023 21:47

Bunk beds.
My brothers were 5 years age gap. Bunk beds was the solution... Kinda.

I remember that sharing a room didn't help my younger brother. Just as you described up and into parents room 5/6 days of the week. Until he was 7 years old. Slept fine as a baby.
But they say swings in round abouts. Good sleepers as babies awful as young children and vice versa.

My brother Had awful nightmares.
Older brother didn't help and would torment him.

My parents came up with a middle ground. He can come to their room and sleep on the floor.
They left a thick sleeping mat by the bed and he would go in with his pillow and blanket and just go direct without waking my parents.

Some times they just need time to grow out of it and learn to cope and deal with it alone. So in the meantime offer a safe space so you all can get some decent sleep.

Good luck

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