Sharing a room can be a positive experience that fosters respect and bonding between siblings.
The arrival of a little brother or sister sometimes leads to making choices about living space, such as sharing a bedroom. While this situation can cause concern, it can also offer many benefits by teaching children to share a living space.
The benefits of sharing a room
Sibling sharing a room may seem like a challenge to organize, but it actually offers many benefits. Living in the same space allows children to develop skills like adaptation and mutual respect. For example, an older sister can learn to be more attentive to the needs of her younger sister who might come seeking comfort after a nightmare.
Sharing a room can strengthen the bonds of complicity between children by allowing them to play, confide and create memories together. This proximity can have a calming effect, helping some children sleep better thanks to the reassuring presence of a brother or sister nearby.
Preparing your child to share a room
It is important to prepare the older child for the arrival of their new roommate. Take the time to explain that the baby will sleep with you at first, then move to the shared room. Set up their space so that the older child can gradually get used to the changes in the room, without having to undergo an abrupt transition.
How to Overcome the Challenges of Room Sharing
• Baby crying at night: Wait until your baby is sleeping through the night before putting him in the same room as your older child. If this is not possible, explain to your older child that the baby will cry but that you will be there to take care of him.
• Different bedtimes: If the children don’t go to bed at the same time, do a bedtime routine with both of them, then spend some quiet time with the older child after the baby goes to bed. If both parents are available, each can take care of one child.
• Bedtime talk and laughter: Give them limited time to talk before bed. For example, let them talk for 15 minutes, then ask for silence. Putting children to bed at 30-minute intervals can also help reduce chatter.
• Disputes over personal space: Clearly demarcate each child’s space with a curtain or piece of furniture. Make sure each child has a personal place for items they don’t want to share.
Find out more: “T’choupi tidies his room – From 2 years old” by Thierry Courtin.
