Making beds isn’t difficult. It’s just one more job that needs to be done - and the earlier each day, the better.
However, the simplicity of bed making renders it the type of activity that can help promote independence in a child and as such, is often the first ‘chore’ they will learn.
The smallest achievements can mean a lot to a child, especially when they come with heaps of praise and a huge sense of pride as a result!
Many children savour such attention and will jump at the chance of impressing their parents with a neatly made bed, while others may flatly refuse to have a go.
So how do you instil that sense of responsibility without causing a commotion?
Beautiful bedding!
Perhaps the most sensible place to start is with the bedding. Letting your child get involved in choosing their own throws and quilt covers is to give them a little responsibility too. It can be fun and frustrating in equal measure as they flit from one design to the next, changing their mind along with each pattern. But stick with it (through gritted teeth!) as they will surely know ‘the one’ when they see it.
Get creative
To make a bed look and feel cosy, accessories can work wonders. A sumptuous embroidered cushion or appliqued throw across the end of a bed can add colour, interest and the kind of texture that invites you to rest your weary head for a peaceful night’s sleep.
Let your child arrange any accessories to their liking and create a sleeping environment that is cosy, comfortable and perfectly suited to their sleeping needs. Once they see how creative they can be, the deed is done!
It’s teddy’s bed too!
Younger children in particular love to pile cuddly toys on top of their bed. Whether it’s arranging them by size or just thrown on for good measure, only your child will know the pecking order! With this in mind, more often than not they will want to be at the forefront of organising their precious things. Maybe a little push wouldn’t go amiss towards tucking in teddy and arranging the quilt and pillows along with him…
The magic quilt…
Who doesn’t love a child’s endless fascination with the amazing ‘magic quilt’? Standing at the foot of the bed, grab the quilt and throw it up until it hovers for a millisecond over the bed with your child lying beneath. As it wafts down like a parachute, the squeals of excitement will leave you wanting to dive straight back into childhood. And why not?
Let your child have a go at recreating the magic quilt as you lie on the mattress. Show them how, in one swift movement, not only will they have you in stitches, their bed will be neatly made too. It’s a win win!
A little encouragement perhaps?
If all else fails, a little motivation might be required. Draw up a chart and see how many times your child can make their bed each week. Dish out rewards according to their efforts. This is a great way to entice older children into helping around the house too.
Washing up, hoovering, putting the dishes away…every little helps!
How about a comfortable, spacious, luxurious bed?
Investing in a beautiful bed that your child will adore is to give them something to call their very own. With beautiful bedding complemented by bright accessories and all those favourite cuddly toys, your child will have a bed they can take real pride in. If they’re part of the process in putting all the pieces of the sleeping puzzle together, they’re more likely to want to have everything ‘just so’ each night before bedtime.
Want to know more about our children’s furniture?
At Little Lucy Willow we put comfort and safety above all else. Stunning design is just a bonus! Our children’s beds are luxurious, affordable and built to last.
We want to make sure you enjoy your shopping experience with us from start to finish. That’s why we are always ready to take your call and help you create a girl’s or boy’s bedroom that is perfectly suited to their needs - and dreams!
Contact a member of our friendly team on 0845 8030988 or email [email protected] with any questions about our products or to place an order.