Hey moms,
Well it's finally here, we are going to put up my son's toddler bed this weekend and move him out of his crib. I am so excited because I got the cutest stuff to decorate his big boy room with and he is really excited as well. So my question is this: I was planning on having my mom take him this Saturday and get my painting etc done while he was having fun with Grandma and move his crib into the new baby's room while he is not here. That way when he comes home his new room will be finished and he can just get right to playing and sleeping in it. But I started wondering if it will freak him out to leave for several hours and come home to a totally different room. So would it be better to work on the room all week together and have him here to say bye to the crib and welcome his new bed to his room, like make him more apart of the process? We are expecting number two in January but I don't have the new baby's room ready at all yet so he won't realize his crib is going to be the new baby's and I will be decorating that room totally different from his nursery. Anyway any thoughts would be appreciated. He is so excited about his new decorations and his new bed and I want to do it all in a way that keeps him happy and excited about his new independence if at all possible. Thanks for the input!
Thanks so much for the responses so far. Well because I am so excited about the cuteness of his new room I am decorating with him daily. I told him we are about to put up his big boy bed and he just giggles with excitement, so I think he is going to do great with it. I put up his curtains yesterday and he just went on and on about how much he likes his new curtains, it was so cute! So I think having him be in on everything is the way to go:)
My 2.5 year old is highly averse to any change in routine...how does your little guy handles things? If he generally rolls with the punches, you'll probably do okay with a surprise...but be prepared for some disruption of those awesome sleep habits your were bragging about!
Congrats on your pregnancy! How exciting. We moved my son into his "big boy room" when he just turned two for the same reason. We choose to make him a part of the room set-up and he did beautifully! It added to the excitement to see us putting his room together. We had him help put the furniture together with his "tools" and he was so proud. The first night we put the room together (I hadn't painted yet), my husband was putting him to sleep in his old room & he snuck out into his big boy room before he put him in his crib. My husband found him lying in his new car bed which he insisted on sleeping in! I was worried he would get out of bed all night, but other than going to sleep a little later than usual, he stayed in all night! He never turned back to his old room. I just painted his room the following weekend - no big deal! I think children adjust better to change when they are an active part of the process.
Good luck!
it seems like your son would understand what was going on if you explained it to him. could you take pictures of the process. show him moving the stuff out. painted room, moving stuff in...then let him see the final product once he gets home...with decorations and all. i know that shock factor kicks in on tlc make over shows...i think thas why people cry most of the time its so jaring! good luck i bet he is going to love it. congrats on the jan baby...i too am having a jan baby (well second jan baby)
We just did this yesterday with my 21 mos old son. He curiously watched as Daddy took apart his beloved crib and Daddy let him "help" with both that process and putting together the toddler bed. As soon as it was put together, he hopped right on and looked comfy as can be. All kids react differently to things though so go with your gut on how you think he'll react- if he's easy going and adapts well to things, he should be find if you do this without him there. Maybe just put a favorite pillow or stuffed friend on his bed waiting for him for when he gets back.
I'm sure he'll be fine whatever you decide and I'm sure it'd probably be easier not having him there to "help"...if we'd thought ahead enough to plan it, we might've had
someone watch him too.
Good luck!
He knows you are doing it so it wont be that much of a surprise. I would take the crib down entirely and put it away. I know, a big fat PITA, but that will affect him more than changing his room up.
I would start painting before your mom gets there and maybe let him do a little painting and then when grandma comes, say that she is going to take you out to have some fun and when you get back your new big boy room will be all done.
I think you are on the right track!
Good Luck and congrats!
I think that he should be there when the changes take place, get a doll and put it in the crib, tell him that a baby will be in it that is little. He is growing up and big and needs a big boy bed and your help to put it together. This will get him ready for both events. He will get used to the doll being in there and look forward to the real thing. Have fun with both and let him be involved with it.
