Any tips for 2 children sharing a room?

[corrianderisevil]

Bit of background: I have 3 DC's - all boys. Aged 4 (starting school in September), another aged 20 months and then the latest arrival is only 7 weeks old.

Currently the two older boys have their own bedrooms and the baby is in with us. I know latest guidelines suggest that baby is in with its parents until 6 months, but with my 2 older boys, they went into their own room at 11 weeks and slept though the night ever since (not a boast, btw, just what worked best for us). If the new baby is to follow suit, then I need to start re-arranging bedrooms.

My plan is to put the 4 year old and 20 month old in the same bedroom. They've never shared before and my worry is that putting them to bed each night will be tricky as they'll be talking/tempted to get up and start playing. And that also, in the morning they will wake each other up at the crack of dawn.

Anyone with a similar situation who has any tips to share would be greatly appreciated

I don't think its fair to make them share at a young age like that. You should keep the baby in your room until 6 months or as long as possible. Use this time to get the two older boys used to the idea of sharing with eachother (sleepovers in eachothers room etc).

Watching.
Pregnant with DC2. DS will be just turned 4 when baby will be 6 months. Will then need to move this baby into his room which they will share as we only have a two bed. Our room won't take a cot, only a crib.

Yes perhaps a few sleepovers might be a good idea. My boys are pretty chilled and take most things in their stride so getting them used to the idea of sharing isn't something I feel is necessary. Thinking about it, we are going on holiday in October where they'll be sharing a room so maybe when we get back just continue the same routine at home....?

Really I was hoping for tips like putting the 20 month old to bed first, then put the 4 year old to bed once the 20 month old is asleep? I think I've answered my own question here!
Anyone have any other tips?

Personally, I would just go for it and re-visit if necessary - I would if there is enough space have a small bed for the baby too but keep the baby in with you for now (so that everyone knows the baby is planned to go in there too). I think 4 is too young for a triple bunk bed if you have the ceiling space, anyway. I know plenty of 3 year olds sharing wirh a 1 year old. 4 and 20 months is not so different.

Yes I'm tempted to just go for it. Like I said they are pretty chilled and we don't tend to make big deals out of stuff. Sorry, just to be clear though - the new baby won't be going into the same room. We have a 3 bed house so the plan will be mine and DH's bedroom, Ds1 4, and DS2 20 months to share a massive bedroom, then DS3 currently 7 weeks will have the box bedroom.

Crikey, just go for it. My DC have shared since no.2 turned 12 months (I have 4)
Move the furniture, make it exciting but also the ground rules clear and prepare for some over excitement the first night. Job done! It is so easy to really over think these things, children are v adaptable!

My two boys are 4 (start school in September) and 22 months. They have shared a room since youngest was 6months as there was no other space. I put them to bed at the same time. They both have their bedtimes stories, some milk, teeth brushed then bed.

Currently the older one gets up super early. Sometimes he wakes the youngest one with the noise he makes getting out of bed. Other times not. I have occasionally caught them up giggling, youngest stood up in his cot or oldest climbing into his cot with him . Lifting oldest our of the cot and putting him back on his own bed and firmly telling both of them it is bed time did the trick for me. They both sleep through the night relatively ok.

Your oldest dc should be fine

Thank you all, I just have such good sleepers that I don't want to rock the boat. Equally, they've got to share a room so I'm not going to faff about. Just need to get on with it. My plan was to put 2 singles in there with the 20 month old going straight into a single bed (with a bed guard). Oldest dc was in a cot with no sides and just a bed guard, however ds2 is a bit more mischievous and may be tempted by his older brother to get out and fart around in his new found environment!! Sod it im just going to go for it!

Sorry I meant oldest was in a cot with a bed guard at 20 months also. Bit now - he's in a single now. Good lord, I'm even confusing myself! Darn this sleep deprivation

Go for it OP! In truth I think it makes them feel secure knowing that the other one is there at night. When it was just me and my eldest he used to cry for me to be in his room at night to get him settled. Since the youngest arrived I think he feels happier than being alone.

You're dc will be great company for each other

I have 3 DDs. My 9 year old has her own room. I have just put my 18 month and 3 year old in to their shared bedroom.
Bedtimes have not really been an issue. Both are good sleepers. I put youngest to bed first. She is usually asleep within 10 mins. In that time ms and 3 year old have a snuggle down stairs reading a quiet story. Once 18 month old is asleep I take 3 yr old up. By 7.30 both children are sleeping.
They wake up at 5.30 and have done since they were tiny. So mornings are not an issue. In fact the total opposite. I wake to the sound of them both giggling. I have a few mins to wake up properly while they chat in their room.

2 weeks ago I put 2.6 DS and 13 month DS in the same room and haven't looked back. DH always wanted them to have their own bedrooms (throwback to having to share when he was a kid/teenager I think) but he's now he's on board after seeing that it's manageable and how well DS2 has slept since. I'd say just go for it...at that age it only takes a few days and then the new regime becomes the norm.

If you are set on getting the youngest out of your room why not put them in with one of the other kids. Seems like minimum disruption for the older two.

Other than that my two younger ones share a room with bunkbeds they go to bed at the same time. Only real issue is if one of them is ill.