How To Help Your Kids Share Their Bedroom Space: Tips For Parents

It is the set up of many comedy sketches; a family grows or merges, and soon, 2 kids are sharing a bedroom for the first time, causing all manner of issues and stressors. This is unlikely to be a fun time for parents; you have enough on your plate without worrying about who moves a brush in the bedroom or who gets to listen to music more. So, what are some tips to make this transition into a shared space as harmonious as possible for the kids involved and you? Here are some tips to help you along!

Establish Clear Boundaries

When it comes to siblings or step-siblings needing to share space, you, as the parent(s), need to set clear boundaries. Help your kids understand which areas of the room and which items are allowed to be shared, alongside which items and spaces are personal. This will (hopefully) minimize conflicts between the kids. If you need help with bed space or bed boundaries but are short on room, head to endurancebeds.co.uk for advice on bunk or triple bunk beds. You should take the time to consider upgrading your bed at the time time to an Emperor style – some will even offer under-bed storage, which could help you to free up some much-needed space in the kids’ new room.

Involve Kids in The Set Up

To avoid the age-old ‘I want the top bunk’ argument, you should involve the children in the process of setting up the shared bedroom. You should listen to their opinions on how the room should be arranged, which decorations are used, and where their belongings will go. This sense of ownership can help them to feel more comfortable and invested in the space, helping to (hopefully!) reduce conflict. So, if there is a clash on where items are going to go or who sleeps where, reach a compromise with them.

Create Zones

Even in a small, shared bedroom, you should aim to create individual zones for the children. This usually involves designing separate areas for them to sleep in, for them to study in, and for them to play in. This can easily be achieved with furniture, curtains, or even room dividers, which will visually define these spaces and help reduce conflicts. They will also provide a sense of privacy, which is going to be more important as the children get older.

Establish Routines

When it comes to having children in general, you should have a consistent routine in place for waking up, bedtime, and homework. Having a shared structured routine in a bedroom can also help minimize disruptions and conflict. Make sure that each child has their own designated time for homework or quiet reading in the space, and ensure that they do not disturb each other. That means no late-night TV, no late-night gaming, and if one child has a later bedtime than the other, no bright lights.

Teach Them About Resolution

Sibling fights are natural and, in some ways, healthy, but it’s important that you teach your children how to resolve them in a healthy way if they are an appropriate age, especially if they are sharing a bedroom. Try to encourage open communication, empathy, and active listening, as well as teaching your children negotiation or compromise skills. The best way to do this is by practicing it, so you and your children should also aim to have great resolution skills when you come into conflict with each other, as should you and your partner if you have one.