Before your second child was born, did you move your first into another bedroom?

Question

My second child is due Feb. 12th and I really want to move my daughter into the spare bedroom. My goal is to get her new bedroom ready before Christmas (there's a lot to move around and get rid of). I believe it would be much more practical to have her in there and the baby in the room she's in now. I've read a lot of books and they all say to try and do this BEFORE the baby is born, which I plan on doing. And to try and get the child involved as much as possible. I've already mentioned it to her a few times and asked if she would want to have her bedroom in there (not mentioning it's because of the baby, of course). She seems to want to and seems excited. But, what are some things I can get her involved in to make it seem more like her idea?

Answer 1

Yep, I would definately do it before.  If you wait until after the new baby comes it will seem like the new baby is "stealing" her room.  If you make a big deal about her own new room, it is more "hers".  Since it will be ready by Christmas, make that part of her "present", and definately let her have a say in decorating it, she'll be so excited.  Let her pick the color - don't take her to Lowes and let her pick anything, or you'll end up with something horrible - go pick a few that you like and let her choose from those.

Answer 2

I did the same thing, my son is now 3 and the new baby is expected in January. We moved him into the bigger spare room a couple of months ago and let him pick out his new comforter and the paint for the walls the pictures etc.

He loves his room and plays in there all the time, hes loving all the added room to his room.lol

Answer 3

have her help pick out decorations for the room and ask her if her toys can sleep in there.  

Answer 4

Let her pick out (within reason) where to put the furniture and maybe get her some new bedding, pictures, or posters (maybe even create some of your own decorations together) for the bedroom.  She will love helping you!  How old is she?  It may take her a little bit of time to get used to the idea of a new bedroom- just stick with it.  The more attention you give to her, and the more you let her get involved, the easier it will be for her when the new baby arrives.  (I would let her pick out something for the little one's room too, or make something for the baby room with her.)  It would be a lot of fun.  Good luck!

Answer 5

Thankfully my daughter doesn't care where she is as long as someones there with a bottle when she wants it, so it was easy to get her to sleep in another bed!

Answer 6

Why can't the new baby go in the "spare room" and let your daughter keep her room? Is the "baby room" closer to yours or something? If so, let her be part of it. I can see by your picture that she's still really little, so she can't pick out paint colors and stuff like that. But you can still include her. Paint her room and move her stuffed animals in there first. The next morning, tell her "Mr. Bear likes it in the new room! You will, too! Your old room is for babies and you're a big girl now." Etc.

Answer 7

Thats a good idea as you already have the nursary set up.  Do it as soon as possible and emphasise it is a "big girl's" bedroom as she is too old for a nursary; not that the baby is turfing her out.  Let her choose the paint colour and the bedspread and rug etc.  Make it as personalised as possible with all her favourite things and then she will never be jealous the baby has her old room.  

Answer 8

Pick out paint colors that you can live with and then let her choose one of the many ones you have picked out. Let her pick out some posters and pictures she would want and rugs, curtains, pillows, stuff like that. This is what I did with my daughter when we moved to make it easier for her that we were moving. She loves her new room.