I was talking with a friend, a first-time parent who has a preschooler and she was lamenting about the most recent troublesome development–now that her child is in a “big boy bed”–he is bringing all sorts of his toys into bed with him and falling asleep amidst the big pile. She is concerned it is not only a health and safety concern, but that he is developing bad habits. I hated to seem like that saucy and crusty old mother who couldn’t be fazed, but I have a nearly 18-year-old who STILL likes to have all her books, papers, and book bags spread about in bed with her!
Like most parenting issues–there are various philosophies and different parents have different ideas and tolerance-levels about what “bed” and “sleeping” is all about. I always let my kids take books to bed with them, but not hard toys–telling them that they would roll over on them and either break the toy or hurt themselves in their sleep. This meant that stuffed animals and soft dolls could stay, books could stay, but things like Legos, toy trucks, and Barbies had to go.
Other parents maintain that bed should be for sleeping and bringing ANYTHING to bed other than a soft blanket, a favorite stuffed toy or other “lovie” is just out of the question. I suppose there is something to be said for bad sleep habits being developed by having things in one’s bed. As someone who still falls asleep with notebooks and books in her bed, I just didn’t think I could be a hypocrite with my children.
If you are worried the child will suffocate or hurt herself or end up with bad habits, you can try keeping a big laundry basket next to the bed and say toys and books have to be scooched into the basket before sleep. Some children naturally outgrow this “phase” and eventually leave the toys on the shelves at bedtime. My son used to keep some books and such in his bed as a youngster, but now his bedtime reading gets put neatly on his headboard book case every night and he keeps things simple and neat. My point is that it might not be something to make a big deal out of, but as a parent, you can set standards and expectations. Don’t be surprised, however, if your child has standards and expectations of his own.
Also: Cute Ways to Store and Organize Toys