When I was a little girl I dreamed of drifting off to a land of lollipops, rainbows and unicorns while snoozing in a white canopy bed. I saw one at JCPenney the summer before I entered second grade, and instantly fell in love. What I wouldn’t have done to own the elaborate, four-poster work of art fit for a princess.
The way I felt about my dream canopy bed is on par with my young daughter’s desire to own a bunk bed.
Ever since our neighbor’s little girl got a new, solid oak bunk bed, my daughter has been lusting after the stacked creation. Never mind that her friend’s bed cost $4,000–more than my first car–my kid wants a bunk bed and wants it—NOW!
Actually, she is quite aware that I have no plans to drive down to the furniture store, wave my magic wand and instantly transport her dream bed to her room.
I am off the hook for now.
Rather, my darling daughter is under the impression that Santa Claus will be toting the monster bed to our house on Christmas Eve.
My poor, sweet, disillusioned daughter is in for a major disappointment in about five months.
Whereas bunk beds are wonderful space-saving options, I simply can’t justify exchanging her high-quality double bed for a double-decker kids’ bed. For starters, my daughter is a singleton, so the only one who would possibly occupy the other mattress is a friend, cousin or me, should I fall asleep during our nightly bedtime story ritual.
In that sense, bunk beds are invaluable. However, despite their practicality, towering bunk beds aren’t risk-free. I am afraid that my child might roll off the top bunk in the middle of the night, regardless of whether or not the bed came with a rail. My daughter has been known to sleep walk, so I don’t trust her to snooze so far off the ground.
On the other hand, there is something about fulfilling your child’s dreams, especially if they are similar to ones you had as a youngster… that went ignored by your parents.
Should I get her a bunk bed?
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