Bedtime - Bedford, MA

J.,

It is great that you want to be a good friend, we all need those. Perhaps if she does not feel comfortable putting her child in a toddler bed yet, you can explain to her that you just have no room to store it. If she wants the bed to use in a few months, or whenever the child is ready, she will need to find a place to store it until then.

If she doesn't want to do that then you can feel better about selling it, if your friend wants the bed she will find a place for it. Then any child rearing issues will not come into the picture, she won't feel you are pushing her to put her child into the bed if she doesn't feel they are ready.

Best of Luck,
S. V

I put my daughter in toddler bed for her 2nd birthday. She is tiny for her age and still sleeps in her toddler bed and she just turned three. I think that it is time for a toddler bed when they start climbing out of their crib. My daughter never did that but she considers herself a big girl and it was time for her. You know that it is different for every parent.
I think you should say to your friend. I know that you want the toddler bed, I really need the space for the kids things, is there anyway that you can take it??? Just be nice about it and tell her that you need the room. If she is a good friend she will understand and take it or tell you to sell it.

Hi J., 1st of all, you are a good friend already because you couldv'e just sold the bed without a second thought. I think that you should just act like you were cleaning the other day and... "I remembered that you said you were interested in my old Toddler Bed, are you still interested in it? Because I'm trying to get rid of some stuff. If you're not interested in it just let me know ASAP because..." Set an actual date of when you need it gone. You're not being pushy, just accertive. If she's anything like me, I'm half brain dead and forget everything. It doesn't really matter if her child is ready, because she can store until he/she is ready. Ya know. Good luck,it will work out, don't feel bad about asking her again, trust me, she'll probably be thankful. P.S. God love you with your 3 kids, you're a stronger woman than I, well 10 years can really make a difference. I am 36 and have 1 20 mth. old daughter and I'm exhausted. : )

If your friend wants it why can't she store it? My suggestion: saying that in the last week you realize that you desperately need the storages space now. It's become overwhelming and your husband is complaining about the lack of space. So if she wants it that would be great otherwise you're going to put it up for sale this weekend.

For all you know she is stalling and wants a different toddler bed; give her and you an out.

Just tell her you need to get rid of the bed this week. Ask if she still wants it because if not you're going to sell it. That puts the choice in her hands and out of yours.

Hi J.,
Sounds to me like your friend is not interested in the toddler bed for reasons she may not want to discuss. I would sell it and use the money to treat yourself and your kids or just yourself. As a mother of 3 I'm sure you could use a boost.
Take care.
Carol

They say that kids NEED to be in a bed if they can climb out of their crib. Mostly for safty reason. Lots of children get really hurt by their parents leaving them in their cribs too long.

We put our youngest in a toddler bed at one year. It was a birthday present.
I would tell your friend that you really haven't minded saving it for her but that it's taking up space and if she still wants it she'll need to take it soon. Tell her if she's still not ready to take it then maybe you should find someone else who needs it (ie, and will to pay for it)HTH

just tell her, I need the space, do you want the bed? If not, I'm selling it. I put my kids into toddler beds by the time they were 14 months.. I"m sure the older one would do fine.. does she not have the space to store it either?? maybe that is her issue.. just be honest with her

Hi J. -

I would just be matter of fact with her - I would tell her exactly what you told us: that you don't want to be pushy, and that you'd like to give her the toddler bed, if she'd like it, but that you've run out of storage space so if she wants it, she needs to take it now. I'd also tell her that because you need the space, that if she doesn't want it you're going to sell it (and tell her that because she's your friend, she was given first dibs on the bed). I'd also tell her that if she's changed her mind, you aren't offended, but that you need to know so you can free up space. If she insists that she wants it, I'd give her a set amount of time (2-3 weeks, at most) to come pick up the bed, and arrange a day when she can come pick it up within that time period.

Good luck!

B.

A friend of mine just gave me a bed for my daughter and my daughter is not ready to come out of her crib, but it was a free bed for me so I said I would take it and use it once she is ready. My friend made it very clear to me that she needed the space and if I wanted the bed, I had to come and pick it up. I had no problem with that since they were doing me the favor of giving me a free bed. I would just be honest with your friend and say I know you may not be ready for the toddler bed, but I can't store it any longer. If you want it, I need you to pick it up this week or else I can sell it. No pressure either way and no offense if you don't want it, I just need the space. Good luck! A true friend would totally understand. You are doing her the favor. :)