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Three week visit

(62 Posts)
GrannyMagoo Sun 16-Mar-25 11:45:39

I'm looking for some advice about sleeping arrangements for my grandchildren when they come to stay.
They lived in Australia, so I don't see them much but they will be staying with me for
three weeks, They will be 2.5yrs and 5 yrs.
I have a small bedroom with a single bed etc. but wonder if I should buy bunk beds (goodness knows when they might be back) or would an inflatable bed be okay for the
youngest?
I'd suggest topping and tailing but I know that wouldn't be acceptable to their parents.
There isn't enough room for a trundle bed, unfortunately.
Thank you.

Nanato3 Tue 18-Mar-25 07:26:58

From the age of 2 yrs old my granddaughter used to stay over and she had an inflatable bed which she was fine in .
She never fell out of it but it was low to the floor so no worries. Hope this helps.

glasshalffullagain Tue 18-Mar-25 07:24:53

Quite a change in routine having 2 small children to 3 weeks!

Hope it all goes very well for you.

PamelaJ1 Tue 18-Mar-25 07:14:57

NotSpaghetti

Have you spoken to the adults about topping and tailing - I don't quite understand why you are certain they'd say no...

That’s what we did when on leave in the U.K. we thought it was great fun.
Sleeping on mattresses was great too.

yellowfox Tue 18-Mar-25 06:46:36

When my grandchildren were little I had a mattress which I kept under the single bed and pulled out when needed.
Much safer than bunk beds,
Good luck and have fun with them.

NotSpaghetti Tue 18-Mar-25 00:59:28

Have you spoken to the adults about topping and tailing - I don't quite understand why you are certain they'd say no...

Coconutty Tue 18-Mar-25 00:54:30

A blow up bed would be okay especially if you get one of the higher ones

Stillness Mon 17-Mar-25 21:55:46

As you don’t see them much, I’d ask the parents what they think might be the best arrangement.

Jannipans Mon 17-Mar-25 21:31:41

My grandchildren love having mattresses on the floor (even at home!)

Babs03 Mon 17-Mar-25 21:23:44

I would say truckle bed. Not sure why. Must be regional perhaps.

twiglet77 Mon 17-Mar-25 20:19:39

My youngest GS is 2 1/2 and sleeps in a travel cot here. He loves it!

Hobbs1 Mon 17-Mar-25 19:45:22

When my two GC were little they loved the blow up beds, so they could camp out in our bedroom. They come in a variety of cartoon characters too. Much cheaper than bunk beds and much more fun.

GrannyMagoo Mon 17-Mar-25 19:36:58

Thank you all for your suggestions, really appreciate your thoughts.

Lahlah65 Mon 17-Mar-25 18:23:13

….kids of course…

Lahlah65 Mon 17-Mar-25 18:22:42

Our bunk beds had safety rails to stop kinds rolling out. Mine were definitely in there at 5.5 and 2.5. No less safe than the youngest escaping over the side of the cot from 1.5 😂.
But I would urge that you talk through the options before they arrive - I can’t believe that they won’t be thinking through these themselves and they must know your circumstances.
There is nothing worse than being away with a small child that can’t adapt to unfamiliar sleeping arrangements. On the other hand, they might be seasoned travellers and very flexible - you won’t know if you don’t ask.
I though the bumper bed looked like a great option, and even if it’s only used for 3 weeks, it’s a drop in the ocean compared to the cost of bringing a whole family from Australia for 3 weeks. And you are bound to be able to pass it on to someone else in a similar situation.

rocketship Mon 17-Mar-25 17:54:30

nanna8

Be careful with bunk beds if they are not used to them. Especially as they are quite young.

EXACTLY~~~ THIS ABOVE

Frenchgalinspain Mon 17-Mar-25 17:09:32

A sofa bed might be a good option.

I do not know if your town / city has an Ikea however, perhaps Amazon.uk

This way they could sit on the sofa when not sleeping ..

CanadianGran Mon 17-Mar-25 17:01:47

Also, if there is a local Facebook mums group or buy and sell, you could request a cot bed there. Just like you, some people get one for a temporary visit and sell them on

missdeke Mon 17-Mar-25 16:38:24

I have a zed bed for my grandson when he visits. Unfortunately he is now 16 and still has to use that when he comes and he's over 6 feet tall, no other bed will fit in the tiny bedroom. But it has been very useful thoughout the years.

Lathyrus3 Mon 17-Mar-25 15:39:32

A friend put her 2yr old GS in a large dog bed. He loved it😬

Georgesgran Mon 17-Mar-25 15:27:05

Same thing Oreo although I’ve never heard them called truckle. Always trundle here.

RoseberryTopping Mon 17-Mar-25 15:24:20

the Futon Company also do porta beds which my grandchildren love, with a sleeping bag on top. They are aged 5 and 3.
www.futoncompany.co.uk/images/detailed/35/Futon_Company_Porta_Bed_Cornish_Blue.jpg

Babs03 Mon 17-Mar-25 15:20:21

We have a two and a half year GS, he has a child bed at home but when staying with us the parents don’t want him to sleep in a single bed, it is too high so he sleeps on a cot mattress on the floor of their bedroom, they say is the safest option for now.

Babs03 Mon 17-Mar-25 15:16:24

I think the Z bed would work out cheaper and if you don’t need it afterwards just sell it on your local gumtree.

Azalea99 Mon 17-Mar-25 15:15:51

A canvas sunlounger? It wouldn’t take up as much room as a proper bed

NemosMum Mon 17-Mar-25 14:23:46

Children love sleeping bags - you could borrow or buy cheap ones. They will look forward to camping at granny's!