Montessori rooms

Should we or should we not?

First of all, let me start by saying that I do believe there is NO strict rules of parenting and every child is different. However, guidelines are very welcome specially when you are experiencing parenthood for the very first time. This, as well as future posts, will basically be that, a light and a guide to help us make better choices and have a more peaceful life with our kids.

I chose this specific topic, because is the phase I am going through with my 2 and a half year son. As of today, December 31st, 2017, he still sleeps in his baby crib, which he loves and adores, as well as me.

Yet, he is a tall boy and by the time we go back from our holiday vacations, I am not sure how much more he will fit into his crib. So, I started doing some research and a pinterest board to try to find the best choice for Samuel. Let's also be honest and say, this is not only about my son's sleep, but also an investment, so I really want to make sure we pick something that will work for some good years.

In my search, for the best bed, I found very cool "Montessori bedrooms", these are rooms based on the Montessori method, which basically believes in empowering children from very early ages to be more independent, therefore creating safe environments that they can use by themselves. This includes the bedroom and a floor bed. As Maria Montessori said, "We must give the child an environment that he can utilize by himself: a little washstand of his own, a bureau with drawers he can open, objects of common use that he can operate, a small bed in which he can sleep at night under an attractive blanket he can fold and spread by himself. We must give him an environment in which he can live and play; then we will see him work all day with his hands and wait impatiently to undress himself and lay himself down on his own bed." This type of kid living, can be from the infant stages, let's say 3 months up until they are kids.

I do have to admit that this whole idea of the Montessori floor bed, even though I find it cool, it still conflicts with my concept of a nice, neat bedroom. I come from Colombia and believe me, having a mattress in the floor to sleep is not the coolest or nicest thing to have. For my peace of mind, I also concluded that a safe and empowering bedroom for a toddler, doesn't necessarily implies a mattress in the floor. I believe, if my kid and many of your children, have the ability to climb anywhere they can, they are also able enough to jump into their toddler bed, a few feet above the ground, by themselves with no adult help. The floor bed should only be left for infants that do not use a crib and they really cannot get in and out of the bed by themselves.

That said, I suggest a Montessori room for toddlers with furniture, drawers, books, shelves and clothes within the kid's reach but with a bed not necessarily in the floor. So for now, the discussion goes towards getting a toddler or a twin bed, considering that a toddler bed is practically the same size of a crib. Which means that it all comes down to a matter of age and size. I found these amazing options for both toddler and twin beds, which one do you prefer?

1. Extendable Busunge bed from Ikea 2. Shelter toddler bed from Pottery Barn kids 3. Ebery toddler bed from Pottery Barn Kids 3. Oeuf Toddler bed

1. Camp bed by Pottery Barn Kids 2. Grayson Daybed with trundle 3. Kids classic single bed

4. Graham bed by PBK

Hope you can share with us the one you bought and loved! I promise I will share my final pick for my kid's room anytime soon...