A Child"s Guide to Buying a Bunk Bed

OK, we all know that a child's pocket money isn't going to stretch to buying a nice new bunk bed.
That doesn't mean, however, that you have carte blanche when deciding which bed to buy, just because you're paying and you have your heart set on a cool white bunk bed that you've seen in some designer magazine! Letting them feel like they are the ones making the purchase will not only make sure they get the bunk bed they want but it will also be a great lesson for later life.
Of course you will be driving and negotiating the purchase, but your children will feel like they are taking some grown up decisions.
So without further ado grab your child and help them make one of their first big furniture buying decisions! Before you even let them in front of the computer or catalogue where all the exciting bunk beds reside take a visit to their bedroom.
Ask them where the bunk bed should go.
If they come up with crazy suggestions then point out gently the benefits of a more sensible placement.
"If we put it here then we can put all your toys here.
Isn't that a good idea?" Then get them to help you measure the space in the room where the bunk bed will go.
Now they have some parameters when choosing the bunk bed.
Is it too high or is it too wide for their room? Now you're ready to look at some bunk beds.
If you have decided that you really must have a white bunk bed then I suggest you have previously found a selection of white bunk beds to choose from and bookmarked the relevant pages.
Too much choice could be overload for your kids.
Keep it simple.
Before you let them get carried away treat them like adults and ask them what safety features they would like on their bed.
They might not know what you are talking about so paint them a picture of one of them falling off a ladder or slipping between the safety rail and the top mattress.
Letting them understand safety issues from an early age will help them make good judgment calls in the future while not dumping your own anxiety all over them.
Finally get them excited about interior design.
Show them pictures not just of bunk beds but styles of bunk beds in different style of room.
The sooner they can appreciate the clever mixing and matching of different styles the better.
Once you've gone through this process and the white bunk bed is bought and set up you can make your kids feel a million dollars by telling anyone who'll listen that your clever children chose their bed all by themselves!