My oldest two boys have shared a room for the past 5 ½ years, ever since we moved into our house {they were 5 & 3 at the time}. Our house is 2 story and they weren’t used to that, so the day we moved in they decided to share. I love it because I think it made their bond grow. We were pregnant with our 3rd little cutie and he slept with us downstairs, so it was great for them to be together.
Fast forward 5+ years and most of the time they still love it, they are reaching a point where they want their own space at times though. They both know they don’t get their own rooms until we build our new house in a year or two. Even when they have their own rooms eventually I think between all of them there will always be someone sleeping in another brother’s room. They like being together.
It has been fun decorating their room and watching it go from a “little kids” room to a “bigger kids” room. It sort of has a sports theme, but I didn’t want overkill on a theme. Their beds, nightstands, bookshelf, wall shelves, and bedding are all from Pottery Barn Kids, the cubbies are from Land of Nod.
Regardless of themes, here are 7 easy tips to make sharing a room with a sibling a “bit” easier.
7 Tips for Siblings Sharing a Room:
- Age Consideration: What is the age of your child? You cannot expect a 4 month old and a 7 year old to share a room. Whether siblings are sharing a room out of want or necessity, the age gap needs to be close enough that everyone will be set up for success.
- Space: Make sure you have enough space for bunk beds, a crib and a twin, etc. You don’t want your children to feel cramped into a tiny hole. Ensure that they still have space to play, read, find their clothes, AND sleep. But more importantly, make sure their room is comfortable and that they are excited about it.
- Make it Fun: Sharing a room with a sibling is short-lived in the grand scheme of things. Make it a fun adventure. Maybe your children get to pick out new bedding and furniture, or maybe they get to map out their room and begin their negotiating skills early on in life. Regardless of the situation, make the experience fun and exciting, because this will be an adventure and it won’t be forever!
- Individual Time: Ensure that you are still adequately giving each child their individual evening time. Whether it’s reading separate books, singing songs, or bedtime prayers, make sure you are still giving each child the time they deserve at bedtime in order to make them feel special.
- Divide & Conquer: If possible, both parents should be involved with bedtime when siblings are sharing a room. Division of services helps both children to feel a sense of norm, calm, and ease. It also helps to make sure each child is receiving one on one attention from both parents. Maybe one is reading a book while the other is tucking in. Either way, I’m a firm believer in “divide and conquer”!
- Patience: No matter how you slice it, patience is key. Nothing ever works out perfectly. One may need a late night bathroom break and the other may wake up at 2 am because of a bad dream. Take it all in stride and do your best to maintain your patience! ** Reminder ** Sharing a room is short-lived!
- Sleep Training: It only makes sense to attempt sleep training before throwing 2 children at different developmental stages together for the night. You definitely need to make sure that both children are sleeping through the night more often than not to ensure a good night’s sleep for not just your kiddos, but you as well!
Anyway, Back to my boys’ room!
The collages above their beds are still a work on progress, some frames still need to be filled and I need to add more. I am kind of stuck, so most of the time I just think I will take them all down and start over. Ha. The football and baseball canvases are pics taken by a very close friend and our family photographer, Cindy. I just downloaded the pics she took and ordered big canvases. Easy peasy! Above the bookshelf is an autographed Minnesota Twins Joe Mauer framed picture. I bid on it at an auction while we were on vacation in Minnesota a couple of years ago…I got mom brownie points that day! The red shelves hold trophies and special items {it needs major reorganizing!}.
They have a bigger than normal size room but I still didn’t want a dresser in there. We recently had the closets redone throughout the house and it made a huge difference in me being able to better organize their stuff. They each have their own side and the baskets hold everything a dresser would. Perfecto!
I know them sharing a room will end eventually, so my husband and I try and enjoy the fun moments it brings while we can. They do great most of the time, but occasionally they stay up too late talking and laughing….it is so sweet to hear two brothers being total goofballs like that. It is even better when the youngest {age 4] randomly decides to sleep in there with them. Love it!
Do your kids share a room? Do you/they love it? What tips would you add?
