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De-bunking bunk bed myths

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Sure, it sounds like a great idea. Get your kids a bunk bed, or as in our case, your kid a loft bed, which is a bunk bed but without the second bed underneath. They save space, they are considered cool by all kids and for me at least, they make up for the fact that I never got one growing up, despite incessant begging and whining.

However, the realities of living with bunkbeds when you are the one who has to change the sheets, is something very different altogether. Maybe being a circus star would come in handy when you must precariously perch yourself on the edge of the top bed and lift up the mattress without falling off, in order to get the fitted sheet around the mattress. The same goes for tucking in the top sheets and any blankets. Suddenly that bunk bed I wanted when I was a kid doesn't seem so fun. As I wrestle with the mattress and try to maintain my balance, I realize that I should have brought the top sheet and comforter up there with me too so I wouldn't have to crawl up and down several more times like a monkey on a mission for more bananas (though I will need one of those to reenergize soon).

Yes, I have tried getting my son involved in helping make the bed. This is only marginally less cumbersome and more efficient. His bed is in the corner of the room, so one of us (guess who?) has to perch on the wall end of the bed, with zero room to manuever, and fix our side of the bed without hurling off the bed. It doesn't help that my son keeps trying to get on the mattress to fix his side, making it impossible for me to then raise up my side.

So, the reality is that his bed sheets get changed a little less often than the others. I rationalize this by calling it my green initiative. I am thinking of putting up a sign like you see in the bathrooms of hotels, only a bit more realisitic. "In an effort to preserve our precious environment and your mother's spinal cord, these sheets will only be changed if they are placed on the floor." I know that the chances that he will actually strip his own bed are equivalent to the chances of Ralph Nader winning the election, so I will get around to changing the sheets when I get there, and meanwhile, I will hide behind the green revolution, saving money, time, resources and a trip to the ER.   http://fortyfide.blogspot.com

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taado 5 pts

The secret to this is layering. Just toss that matress down to the floor, put three layers on it (matress pad, sheet; matress pad, sheet; repeat) and then get another adult to help you haul the beast back up. Then, when you need to freshen things up, you can just strip off a layer.

I use the same technique in my toddler's bed. That way, if she has an accident, I'm not flipping on all the lights and waking up the house looking for sheets. I just strip the top layer off and tuck her back in.

It's easily worth the cost of a couple extra matress covers to save my sanity (and my back)!

 Taado

Southerngirl 5 pts

We have had bunks in some form or the other for the past six years.  My kids love them for all of the reasons we hate them.  I find putting them where they can easily be reached from both ends help with the bed making.  I only use a bottem sheet as permanat bedding.  THe blankets and such get folded and put into the closet in the morning.  Now we have a futon bunk which has been our most loved version.  They use the bottom as a couch and then just puul out the blankets and go for it when it is time to go to bed.  Yes they have swung from them, jumped from the top, and other crazy stuff.  When I catch them I remind them of my policy of never ever going to the emergency room.  I tell them they will spinlt the broken limb or tape that eye back in until the dr open in the morning.  And even then they may have to wait until after school!  I have said this craziness so often that I think they really beleive me.  13 years and only one trip to the ER.

Michelle

I blog at http://www.mommycan.blogspot.com/

JCK 5 pts

This was a great post and made me laugh. With you. I promise. My children are now both 4. I made the not so very brilliant choice a year ago to purchase bunk beds. Yes... I know. What the hell was I thinking?! They have a small room that they both share and it seemed like such a great idea at the time. A space saver, and fun for the kids! I dismissed the recommended warnings for "6 years and up." 

I soon realized the recommendations are there for a good reason, but not just for the obvious physical danger. Our bunk beds adventure was short lived. Not because of any trips to the ER or dramatic events, but because just as the bunk beds went up...the fears kicked in. The bottom bunk was "too dark and scary." The top bunk was fine, until my son woke up with nightmares and I had to quickly climb a small ladder, manipulate myself around the narrow opening, and get to him. And then there was our fear that he would attempt to climb down too quickly during one of his bad nights. Which all told, was just about every night. The bunk beds were up for a total of...mmm, maybe 1 week?

So, long story short...the bunk beds became twin beds and have remained so ever since. The room is now extra small, and although both my son and daughter are speaking of going back to the bunk bed arrangement, I'm just not sure I'm up for it.

Oh, and changing the sheets on a top bunk bed with the railing? Even with the bed on the floor? Mmmm...a nightmare. We haven't done it yet, but I'm thinking...sleeping bags!

http://motherscribe.blogspot.com ( http://motherscribe.blogspot.com/ )

fidget 5 pts

 and THAT is why our bunk beds aren't bunked but rather split into two stand alone down on the floor units.

Fidget

Finding Yourself Despite Yourself  ( http://findingyourself.net )

( http://findingyourself.net )