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Make The Move To A Toddler Bed Easier

When the time comes for your child to move from a crib to his or her own bed, it's a big milestone. Parents deliberate when the best time to purchase a bed might be, and they hem and haw over the day a "big person's bed" replaces the crib the toddler has now. For parents who practice co-sleeping, the move to an independent sleeping arrangement may even be a bigger occasion. Regardless of which your child sleeps in, the family bed or a crib, there are some ways to help your child prepare for the switch.

No Big Surprises, Please

Children are creatures of habit and the surprise of a new bedroom and a complete change of furniture may end up being less of a gift and more of a traumatic experience. Your child, instead of being surprised and delighted, may stand at the doorway in a state of shock or even burst into tears. Imagine how you'd feel to walk into your home after a day of work only to discover that someone has removed all your furniture and replaced it with something completely different! Helping toddlers prepare for change and allowing them time to adjust to new sleeping arrangements is important – more than trying to give them a big surprise and a lasting memory, as it may not be the memory you intended to leave them with.

Don't Make it a Big Deal

When it's time to start mentioning that new sleeping arrangements or a new bed is in order, avoid stressing the event too much. Watch your tone of voice when you mention the new bed, and be careful on how often you "prepare" your child for the impending moment. Constant comments, dropped hints, and too much encouragement end up sounding like warnings to little ears. After all, if it isn't a big deal, why are Mom and Dad making it into one? Toddlers end up thinking, "Hm, something's wrong with this," and tend to start being suspicious.

Drop a comment here and there and mention it in passing. If your child gets excited and asks questions, then great. If your child doesn't comment or take much notice, let it go. Wait a while before dropping another hint. Above all, don't make the transition to a new bed a big deal – it's a part of life, it's going to happen, and it isn't anything your child should get performance anxiety over.

Include your Child in Choices

To encourage acceptance and get your child motivated for the transition, include him or her in the shopping for new furniture. Does your child prefer a princess bed or a sleigh bed style? Would he or she like colorful bedding to match or prefers something darker that matches the room? Allow your child to select as much as possible of the accessories or furniture. If your child doesn’t like what you've bought, you can bet the toddler won't want to use it. The more you include your child in the decorating options, the more your child will feel special and be more willing to make the change to his or her very own bed.

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