Tips for Transitioning Your Toddler to a Big-Kid Room
Cheetahs can sprint up to 75 mph. The Maglev train in Japan can zoom along its rails at 373 mph. Light soars from the sun to warm our world at 670,620,000 mph. But there is one thing that is faster than all these things combined: the toddler years. One second, you’re gazing at that squishy little face with those big doe eyes; the next, they’re a breath away from preschool and ready for a “big-kid room.” And if we’re honest, y’all, the transition is a little harder for us than it is for them. That’s why I’ve collected my best tips for transitioning your toddler to a big-kid room.
Know the Right Timing
“Timing is everything,” as they say. That’s why there are so many books and websites telling us the right time for every milestone in our kids’ lives. But even as a seasoned mama myself, I can’t tell you the right timing for transitioning your toddler to a big-kid room. Some will be ready earlier, some later. What I can tell you are a few signs that your toddler is ready:
- Your toddler is too big for their crib
- They can climb out of their crib
- They sleep well through the night
- You’re potty training them
- The bedroom is safe
- They express the desire to be a “big kid”
A lot of parents use the milestone of a child becoming a big sibling as a good time to make the move. But if you have a pair of Irish twins with one less than 18 months older than the new baby, it’s best to keep them in the crib a little longer.
Hype Up the Transition
Change can be scary, especially for little ones. But as a parent, you can set the tone for the move. Emphasize how exciting it is to get their very own big-kid room. Read storybooks about getting a big-kid bed, and emphasize that they’ll have much more space to play. And if they’re sharing a room with a sibling, get both kids hyped up about how much fun they’ll have together.
Give Them a Hand in Decor
If the idea of moving into a strange new place is scary, give your toddler a hand in picking out the decorations for their new room. You might give your child a few options and let them choose between them or have them pick out a color scheme. You can even ask them to help you brainstorm ideas for a painted mural for their wall.
The one thing you need to keep in mind is that little ones’ interests change quickly. Try to steer them away from trends like a popular TV show, if possible. But if not, don’t stress too much about it. Kids move fast, after all, and it’s our job as mamas and papas to try to keep up!
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