It is common for babies to sleep in the his parents' room for the first few months, but there comes a time when they must make the leap to their own room. But what happens when it is not your own room but a shared one? So prepare your eldest child Sharing a room with the baby will be key to a good understanding.
In order not to interfere with the sleep of the elderly, it is important to wait for the baby sleeps all night to change rooms. Furthermore, it will be important to make this change gradually so that the older person does not feel that they have invaded their space and create conflict between them. We tell you how to do it step by step so that the integration is a success.
Sharing a room can come with some challenges, but they need to be faced. Delaying the moment once the baby sleeps through the night makes little sense. Now, things should not be done overnight, but rather gradually. following the following tips:
Strengthens the bond between siblings
If you even have to share spaces with both of you in common spaces like the living room, change the scene by moving those moments to the room you want them to share. Happens short times but quality there with them, to strengthen the bond between siblings and establish the idea that the room is a space in which the two of them can spend beautiful times.
Start by sharing relaxed moments
Beyond those moments of play, begin to gradually introduce the little brother into the room during moments of rest. You can carry it in his crib so that take a nap together or lay the little one in the eldest's bed in the morning while you prepare him... Moments that help you continue strengthening those bonds.
Give everyone their own space in the room
Sharing a room does not mean that you cannot provide each child with their own space within it. In fact, it is important to do so so that Don't lose your individuality. You can place a trunk or shelf in separate places in the room where everyone can place their favorite stories and toys. If they are three or four years old, perhaps you could add a grown-up desk to the room to provide it with its own little corner and add a play mat for the little one on the other side... Be creative!
Let the eldest make some decisions
It is likely that when remodeling the room to accommodate two children instead of one, you will only have to buy new items for it. Why don't you let the older brother in a way appropriate to his age help you choose or make some decision? The idea is to excite you with the process and give it importance. You can choose a shelf, a trunk, your bedding... collaborate in some way in that room you are going to share.
Teach them some basic rules of respect
Sometimes we think that because they are small they will not understand things, but children understand more than we think. Strengthen basic rules of respect between dorm mates from day one, such as be silent when the other sleeps or ask permission to take other people's things, among other things. You can teach them, for example, that if they wake up to go to your bedroom and let their brother sleep.
Celebrate it
Another way to prepare your older child to share a room with the baby is to make him see what important and exciting which is this moment. So, once you have gradually integrated the little one into the room for a few weeks and the big day arrives, the day of the move, celebrate it! Prepare the room with the oldest for a special night by coloring some signs with their names, putting up some garlands and making a special snack.
Do you like these ideas to prepare your older child to share a room with the baby? There will be many others but these seem key to us for a moment as important as this.