As an infant, my son was never able to go to sleep in our bed. Now, though at the age of 3, he has spent the occasional long period of time sleeping with us, typically when he’s sick or had a bad dream. And I think it’s great having the quiet time in the morning talking to him. Our daughter, now 2, spent a goodly portion of time in outr bed last year cause she had very frequent ear infections. It was easier for everyone and we all got some sleep that way.
I think whatever works is fine, as long as there is agreement between mom and dad. A coworker’s son slept with har and his dad till he was 12, and almost six feet tall. That’s a little weird. And another coworker sleeps with her 3yo, and her husband sleeps on the couch. I think that’s wrong because they don’t agree.
So sleep all you want, it makes the day go better.
speaking as a child who, for the most part, slept in the same room/bed as my parents until i was around 4, there’s nothing wrong with it at all.
i eventually grew ou of it, wanted to be a big girl and started sleeping on my own with a fine sleep schedule. but one thing that i have noticed that is different from my siblings who did not do the same is that i am freakishly close to my parents, unusual for a teenage girl…i think it helped promote or bonding like mad. which is always a good thing!
We shared a bed with our first for about 6 months, with the second only about 4 weeks. The oldest (and his parents) were comfortable sharing. The youngest preferred his own space. We didn’t have any trouble with either of them transitioning to their own beds. Both continued to Saturday morning cuddle in our bed for years and we liked it very much.
First, I’m not a mother. I’ve only got dogs in my bed. So I do hear you with the whole kicking thing, but I’m sure your babies won’t growl and bite you for moving at night. Well, perhaps growl…
But, my friend did the co-sleeping thing and for all intents and purposes it put a strain on her marriage. It was Mom, Dad, babe and sometimes dog in the bed. Dad ended up sleeping on the couch after a year. Then Dad and the dog had the bed and Mom put a futon in the kid’s room and she and the child slept together for the next year. Since then, it has become quite strained. The child is quite disconnected as looks at the Dad as a sort of servent. It’s like Mom and the kid getting the better of him. None of this was his choice. I feel bad for the guy. They did attempt to put her in her own room and even put her bed in their room, but she got “night terrors” so that went out the window.
Myself, I’m sure my child will be in the bed, likely in one of those cradle-fold down and scoop out access for breastfeeding. I’m too scared of rolling and dogs jumping and so forth.