Which Child Gets to Choose the Top Bunk?
Who should be on the top bunk?
As a parent, every day is a battle on specific topics. When you have bunk beds, the fight over who gets the top bunk may be a near-constant argument at bedtime. When it comes to choosing who gets the top bunk with minimal tears and fussing, here are a few things to consider.
Safety First
The first way to settle this once and for all is to know and abide by the age restrictions of the top bunk. Safety is always a parent’s top concern, so this is an easy way to squash top-bunk debates. No child under 6 years old should sleep on the top bunk. This prevents accidents or danger from smaller children getting trapped between the railing and the mattress. It is also because younger children may have less coordination when navigating up and down from the top bunk. If you have two children squabbling at bedtime and one is under 6 years old, this is an easy win for any parent when choosing who gets the top bunk!
The Share and Switch
So, how do you choose who gets the top bunk if both children are old enough to occupy it safely? The key is to teach them to share and switch. While this is easier said than done, devising a schedule where they switch out nights to have the top bunk and then sticking to it can make bedtime more manageable for all involved.
Pulling Rank
Of course, the schedule switch-off may not always work out, so many parents choose to use a rank system. Since the oldest child naturally pulls rank over the younger child in most cases, it makes sense to give the top bunk to the older child as a perk.
Never Double Up
A top bunk should never have more than one person in it! It is a significant safety concern and should be avoided at all costs.