Tuesday, October 23, 2007

The Family Bed

It turns out more people do share beds with their kids than care to admit. I don't think it's a big deal, really. With parents working so much and gone, kids sleeping in the same room is a way for them to stay connected.

When we went on the Disney Cruise and all five of us were shoved like sardines into one tiny space, everyone slept the best. I could hear all my children breathing. I knew when someone was having a bad dream. The kids slept awesome. We could all relax. I actually considered having a room constructed like that--two bunks and a baby bed in our bedroom. It worked out so well. (We had heavy drapes dividing the sleeping quarters. Wink. Wink.)

What do you think about shared sleeping quarters? Indians did it and primitive societies all over still do. Why not Westerners?

Sleeping with kids is....
Wonderful
OK on occasion (storms, sick)
Weird
  
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3 comments:

Anonymous said...

This made me laugh. My daughter loves to sleep with us and during vacation time she does so a lot. However, during school time I make her sleep most nights in her own bed because we read and she will not go to sleep. After all, we need a break from them as well.

I like the kids sleeping with us at times because they grow up soon enough and they will not want to crawl into the bed with Mama and Papa when they are teens. At least I don't think so. :-0

Anonymous said...

I think any arrangement that helps all parties sleep the best is great. Sleeping with my newborn helped me get the rest I needed--- I was so spooked about SIDS that I would have been up every hour to check on the baby, and at least every two to nurse. Also, co-sleeping with an infant really helps the nursing relationship-- and if you're relying on ecological breastfeeding to help space your children, it's necessary.
I think the West's pathological obsession with individualism and independence is what keeps more people from admitting that they enjoy toddler breath on their cheeks. :)

Anonymous said...

It appears the nanny state has decided, with the help of crib manufacturers, that co-sleeping is incredibly irresponsible and dangerous.