Our two girls are growing bigger. We have to make a lot of re-arrangements in their bedroom. But the biggest would be the purchase of a bunk bed for kids.
Why the Shift to a Bunk Bed for Kids?
Two years ago, Achi Shawna had already asked for a bunk bed. She wanted her own space that her sister Shane could not mess up.
At that time, they were sharing a queen-sized bed. At four years old, the two girls already share one room. However, Shane wants someone beside her. It seems that she could not sleep without a warm body to hug or to hold. A stuffed toy or pillow is not enough. It has to be human. So the bunk bed still was not feasible for both of them.
A year later, we used our old pull-out bed. Now, they each have a single mattress to sleep on. While they were still near each other, they were in separate beds. After almost a month of adjustment, it worked out fine. Shane no longer went back crying to our room in the middle of the night.
But now, we finally decided that it’s already a good time to get that bunk bed for kids.
Advantages of the Bunk Bed
So here are the reasons why we decided to get a bunk for kids.
Space Saving.
The floor area of a single single bed was freed up. That means more space to go around.
Personal Space
The bunk bed gives a feeling of personal space while sharing the bedroom with another individual. You can decorate your space and spend time in it when needed. Since she is approaching adolescence, Achi Shawna needs this more.
More Orderly Bedroom
The kids try to make their beds and arrange their stuffed animals there. However, most of them are scattered on the floor when morning comes. And since they are homeschooling, we stay home most of the time so their bedroom can get messy. With this new sleeping arrangement, I hope that things will be much better here.
How Much is a Bunk Bed?
Of course, with a tight family budget, we prioritize our needs. Since this bed has become a need, we scouted for the best deals to get our money’s worth. We found a design that we liked and we learned that it was going to be discounted in a few days for the Halloween sale. It has a black wrought iron bodice and wooden poles. I loved the homey style.
So we waited and came back to the Metro Store at Ayala Malls Capitol Central to make the purchase. We got this bed for P6,950, after a P1,000-discount. Plus, it’s three months on installment at 0 percent interest. A really good deal!
What is the Right Age for a Bunk Bed
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children under the age of 6 not be allowed to sleep in the top bunk. But for me, I already declared that Shane can only sleep there when she turns 8 years old.
That’s because, Shane can get groggy at night. After peeing, she might not be able to successfully climb up the ladder in her sleepy state. I shudder at the thought of what might happen.
So the right age for a bunk bed for kids will still require parental wisdom. It’s up to you to decide if your child is ready or not at 6 years old. That’s the median age set by the AAP. I would still suggest that for safety reasons, you follow the minimum requirements recommended by pediatricians–not lower than that.
Shawna is now 10 and even before we bought the bunk bed, we already told Shane that she could only occupy the lower bunk. Of course, this did not settle with her easily. But I had to explain to her that this is for her safety. We promised that she could exchange with her sister from time to time when she turns 8 years old.
This bunk bed for kids can last them until they are teens. Our girls are pretty slim so I think this bed is durable enough for them.
Naming their Bunks
These girls are fond of naming their toys and stuff. That’s where their creativity is enhanced. Creative play is part and parcel of these girls’ childhood. And we encourage it.
- Related: Enhancing Creative Play
So they also assigned names to their bunks. Since Achi Shawna occupies the top bunk, she named her “Sky Garden.” Meanwhile, Shane’s area is quite dark, so she named hers “Cave of Unicorn Secrets.” Witty, just like her. She loves her unicorns!
- Related: Unicorn Girl Shane
They have decided to play around their bed. If they hang a blanket to cover the lower bunk, it would be called the Disney falls, after the Disney princess print on the blanket. Wow! Such vivid imagination.
And now, they are sleeping soundly in their new bunk bed.
Next project: A Customized Homeschooling Desk
Fixing the Bedroom for Girls
This is a major piece of furniture that we bought this year.
We are on our way to fixing the girls’ bedroom. So our next project is a customized homeschooling desk. Their current setup is not working anymore. We need a suitable desk for two growing homeschooling students.s
Sisters’ Cosplay Pictorial
- Mermaids in Boracay Newcoast Summer Pictorial| Savoy Hotel Boracay
- Flower Child Summer Pictorial in Lantawan View Silay
I still want to go for upper bunks for both to save more space. It will look a lot like a loft. Then on the floor area a study table and other cabinets for books and toys. I hope someday when Shane is ready to go up and down an upper bunk with ease, we can have a “loft” built.
Hmmmm Maybe. Let’s see in the future, Papa. But we have to use this current bunk bed for at least 5 years to get our money’s worth haha
My sister and I always wanted bunk beds but never wanted to share a room LOL. But there are so many reasons why you would go for bunk beds. I’m seriously considering having them in my spare room for guests.
We are planning to shift our kids to bunk beds but possibly within the next 2 years. Both our sons are co-sleeping with us and since a lil one is on the way, we are slowly moving them on a separate bed but still beside ours. I have super clingy sons but hopefully they’ll understand.
I’ve always wanted a loft bedroom, not for the kids but for myself, lol. Gianna has her own bedroom but she still sleeps with us in a separate foam. I’m hesitant in letting the kids sleep in a bunk bed though since they are super malikot when sleeping they might end up on the floor.?
Looks like my partner has his work cut out for him when it’s time to shift our 3 girls to bunk beds.?
Right now, my son has the upper bed and my two eldest daughters (ages 7 & 4) shares the lower bed (baby sleeps in our room). It’s no walk in the park every morning with all the stuff toys and pillows thrown all over and the sheets no longer in place. Although this is just a temporary set up since kuya would need a room of his own as he is nearing puberty already. And I do agree that a bunk bed is a great space saver esp. when you have small house:)
When I was little, I always wished my parents would buy me and my sisters a bunk bed. Since there are six of us siblings, some of us would sleep in the living room in laid-out mattresses we set up every night. What a chore! Haha.
We only got to buy a bunk bed last year … for our nephew who called dibs on the top bunk. What is it on the top bunk that fascinates the kids?
hahaha I don’t know about the fascination with the top bunk. I think it’s scary and tiring to keep going up and down. But they seem to like it! haha
Our single beds offer a compact and comfortable solution for single sleepers in every type of bedroom.