Where did you read/hear this? I don't know about anybody else's children, I just know about my ds. He was 2 1/2 when we converted his crib to a toddler bed. He was SO proud you could just see his little chest bursting with pride. My husband and I actually felt bad we had waited so long, it was clear that he gave us that "long time coming" look. THAT's why I can't imagine a child of 3 in a crib! I know that their child is Not my child, but that's all I have to base it on.

Don't say a word, we have the same thing going on at our house, plus we can't seem to get rid of bottles...........................

I switched Carson and Parker at the same time since they are so close in age and share a room. Carson was 3 yrs and 4 months at the time. He transitioned with no problem and hadn't been climbing out of his crib since he was a little over 1 and had gotten in trouble for it. Wyndser will be 3 in July and she is still in a crib. She hasn't climbed out since she was a little younger than 2 and got in big trouble for it.

I like keeping them in the crib as long as possible for a couple reasons. We have 18 stairs right outside the bedroom doors. I don't want them getting out of their rooms and falling down the stairs. The cribs keep them safe until I can get them in the morning. They are comfortable....they aren't too long for it yet....so there is no harm done. Might as well keep them safe as long as possible. I don't want them getting up and roaming around or possibly getting into things while we are still asleep. At 3 or under they could get into a lot of messes without my even knowing it.

They will not be in therapy when they are older just because I let them sleep in a crib until they were 3+. It is not abusive or negligent since they are comfortable and safe. And I just don't see how it is anyone else's business. It may not be the choice that someone else would make, but who really cares?! I'm sure that there are choices that others make that I think are ridiculous, but unless it is harmful to the children or unhealthy for them, it just isn't my right to place judgement.

By the way, cribs used to be called a 5-year bed because they could safely be used for 5 years for children since they are able to bear that amount of weight and typically are long enough for a child up to 5 years old. Just FYI.

__________________

I believe it was in the most recent issue of Parent's Magazine. I will check if I have time. My son shows no signs of wanting to move and I feel he is safer there...not wandering around while we are sleeping.

__________________
Mommy to Bryce 2/20/2005 and Skye 3/4/2008

I agree. I don't see what the big deal is.. we all parent differently.

__________________
~@~ Carla ~@~

I don't think I would mention it...it wouldn't even register on the radar for me. But that's me.

Everyone's parenting style is different. They might be keeping her in a crib for any number of reasons. I wouldn't say a word.

I agree with previous posters that if the child is happy, healthy and sleeping well, then there is absolutely no way I'd say anything, no matter how strange it might seem to me. We all parent differently, and if the child is happy and thriving, what does it matter?

__________________
~Vicki~
Mama to Hailey, 4 and Ella, 2

well u can tell me what u wanted to tell her if u like. My dd is over 3 1/2yrs old and still in her crib. she can get in and out by herself but usually doesn't. we had planned on getting her into big girl bed as reward for potty training. then she decided she didn't want to use the potty. now we are using the potty again but sporadically. we hope to use it as a reward again but so far she is not budging.
She is apparently not that good a friend or u would already know why her child is still in crib. I would not be offended if u asked me but I would ask why it was important enough for u to bring up. not trying to be mean but when I brought it up at here and at my ECFE class every person said keep her in the crib and offer bed as reward. well she will be 4 in august and hopefully out of a crib.

allgirls

__________________
allgirls, mom to 3 girls

I wouldn't say anything - my neighbours are the same .... just thy had ordered a bed for their elder daughter so the younger one would get the elder daughters bed - ANYWAY the elder daughters bed took 4 months to come and the poor girl was in the cot all te time. She was okay though - no harm done but it did seem strange.

There may be a good reason for it or maybe the DD is happy in the crib.

But you know it wont harm her and I doubt she will be in her crib when she starts Kindergarten or 1st grade!

__________________