The advantages and disadvantages of sleeping in the same room

Good family relationships are not only established between parents and children. However, it is also supported by the harmony between siblings. If you take the initiative to get them closer to each other, letting your siblings sleep in the same room could be an option. However, it is better if you consider the following points.

Pros and cons of sleeping in the same room

A 2012 study published in HHS Author Manuscript explain the important role of the presence of siblings,

The study stated that siblings have an important role, namely as a friend, a person who can be trusted, as well as a social comparison. They can influence each other.

The things that then will affect the development of each other's children. The younger siblings will make the older siblings their role models. Meanwhile, the older brother feels responsible for looking after him and being a good figure for his younger sibling.

For that, parents need to strengthen their relationship. There are various methods, one of which is to place brothers and sisters in the same bedroom. So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of implementing this rule?

The advantage of letting brothers and sisters sleep in the same room

Strengthen the bonds of brotherhood

It may not be enough to let siblings play together. It may take some more time to spend together. Well, sleeping time is the opportunity.

Letting children sleep in the same room can help them to understand each other. Moreover, if the younger siblings cannot sleep alone, the older siblings can accompany them. Before going to bed, brothers and sisters are very likely to open small talk. Whether it's about experiences, new toys, favorite TV shows, and so on.

Teach children to share

Letting siblings sleep in the same room not only strengthens their relationship, but also teaches children to share. Learning to share involves many emotions in children, such as empathy and sympathy (feeling what other people feel) and generosity to give what children have.

In addition, sleeping in a room also teaches siblings to understand boundaries and rules. For example, the younger sibling may not mess up the bed of the older sibling or make it dirty. Vice versa.

Disadvantages if brothers and sisters sleep in the same room

Children are not free

Although there are advantages, there are also drawbacks to letting your child sleep in the same room. One of them is the child so it is not free to explore the bedroom.

For example, the older sister likes flowers so much that she wants to decorate her room with sticker flowers, while his younger brother didn't like him. It could also be the opposite, the younger sibling is busy playing in the room even though the older siblings are about to study.

This situation can certainly trigger a fight between the two of them.

Children do not feel privacy and uncomfortable

Not only that, brothers and sisters who sleep in the same room sometimes make them feel they have no privacy. In fact, children need space for themselves.

Whether it's doing something calmly, make up the room as you wish, and give it a place when they are sad or want to be alone.

They really need personal space for children, especially when they get older or go to puberty. Especially if the brothers and sisters are of different genders.

As they get older, children will experience changes in their bodies. They need to protect it from the sight and touch of others, including their own siblings.

So, what should parents do?

It's okay to let children sleep in the same room. However, you need to ask the child first, whether he wants it or not. Don't force it if your brother or sister refuses this.

If the child is determined to share the same room with his brother or sister, you also need to ask regularly to make sure. For example, at any time your child may need their own room.

Although there is no specific age limit, children who start school usually begin to develop independent attitudes. They can have their own room because they dare to sleep alone and are responsible for keeping the room clean. That's why, asking and convincing him is important.