Our oldest is 4 years older than his siblings so he had a long transition from our bed to a twin next to us, to a twin in the same room, to his own room with occasional sleepovers in out bed. (at that point he was 3, and he was an extremely restless sleeper)

2nd came his sister who co-slept part-time. She preferred the crib for awhile. She also transitioned to the twin on the floor next to the queen on the floor when we knew #3 was coming soon.

Then we purchased a king bed (we actually got it off the floor at this point), and made up a room for her with a toddler bed that she napped in, and usually started the night in her bed. By the end of the night 90% of the time she was in our bed (this at age 2).

When we were getting closer to expecting #4 we made a room for #3 and amazingly at 20 months she transitioned right into her own bed, no questions asked, no waking up at night. #2 started sleeping more in her room too, though some nights Daddy had to be there to comfort her.

#4 was an AWFUL sleeper despite co-sleeping. He would wake up crying at this amazingly painful pitch and we’d try to nurse to sleep (it always worked for the others) but he wouldn’t have it. Lots of walking, lots of working really hard to help him sleep (since he clearly needed it) and now at 3 he is happy to be in his own bed and mostly sleeps through the night. (when he does wake up he kicks us in the head all night in our bed)

Whew, are you as tired as me?

For many years we played “musical beds”, and had well over 2 dozen sleeping arrangements, but it was all worth it in the end.

Now I’m going to sleep, and you can wake me in 2020 when I’ve finally caught up on my sleep!