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Maybe baby will be sharing the room with a sibling, or a computer? While it may not seem ideal, there are ways to make it work. The two most important things to consider are safety and space.
The Nursery-Home Office Combo
With nursery/home office combo rooms, design the room primarily with your child in mind but leave space for your work area. Ideally, it should look like a nursery with a desk, not a home office with a crib. And if you plan to work while your baby sleeps, consider buying a phone that allows you to turn off the ringer and a quiet, soft-touch keyboard.
Saving Space
- If you can spare the space, move your office into the closet! Slide the desk inside, open the door and roll your chair right up. A wide, flat "shelf" installed at the right height can also serve as a desktop.
- Set up filing cabinets, fax machines, printers, paper shredders and other equipment in the closet. This not only saves space, it's safer and quieter.
- Try a narrow corner desk.
- Conceal clutter with a roll-top desk or a secretary-style desk with doors.
- Switch from a desktop computer and monitor with a separate hard drive to a more compact and portable laptop.
- Keep wires, cords and cables bundled and hidden behind the desk.
- Use a surge protector and do not overload outlets with multiple plugs.
- Keep office supplies out of reach or under lock and key.
- Use a magnetic, chalk or dry erase board instead of a corkboard with pushpins.
Two To A Room
So, your new baby is going to share a room with an older sibling? Some kids are thrilled with the idea of sharing their room while others require a bit of convincing. Here's how you can temper your child's territorial tendencies:
Starting Off on the Right Foot
- Let your child know the plans as soon possible so they have time to adjust to the idea (don't be surprised if this takes the full nine months!).
- Make your older child feel important and involved. Tell them how happy the baby will feel because their big sister or big brother is there with them.
- It's normal for your child to feel upset or say things mean things ("I don't want a baby sister!"). They probably feel like they have no control over the situation, which would be frustrating for anyone. Acknowledge their feelings and don't insist they roll out the welcome wagon.
- Assure your child that the baby is your responsibility, not theirs. A six-year-old could easily be stressed out if they mistakenly think they're on baby-duty at night.
- Try to involve your child in the major changes or at least give them advance notice. If possible, allow them to choose their side of the room. Ask them to pick out some special things for the baby's side, like a mobile. Knowing their opinion matters can help them feel more in control, which may make it easier for them to accept (and maybe look forward to) their new roommate.
- Have the new addition sleep in a bassinet in your room during those first few wakeful weeks or months. The last thing you need now is a cranky, sleep-deprived pre-schooler (in addition to your cranky, sleep-deprived self.) Make the transition once baby is sleeping soundly through the night.
Space Savers
- For children 6-years-old and up, who can safely sleep in a top-bunk, consider a loft style bed with room for the crib underneath.
Never allow an infant to sleep in a bottom bunk or to share a bed with a sibling.
Pediatricians and sleep safety experts agree the safest place for babies to sleep is in a crib, on their back.
- For your older child, a bed with under-bed drawers provides under-bed storage space equivalent to five dresser drawers.
- A dresser with plenty of deep drawers can work for two. Put the older child's clothes in the lower drawers so they can help themselves.
Safety
- Make sure your older child understands why the new baby is not allowed to have blankets, pillows, toys or stuffed animals in their crib. Consider attaching a mesh crib tent over the crib or a crib screen to prevent hands and toys from squeezing between the bars.
- You've always encouraged your child to share. For now, tell them why it's okay to not share their toys with the baby. Provide a personalized toy box and explain that this is where big kid toys with small parts belong.
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