Boston Children's fit kit What if I share a bedroom or sleep place?

• Is my sibling doing something that makes it hard for me to sleep?
• Sharing a bedroom can be hard. Some kids say:
  • “My brother is too noisy.”
  • “My sister stays up late doing homework in bed.”
  • “Our bedroom is a mess. I can’t relax with so much stuff everywhere.”
• Can you relate? What’s hard for you? What could you do?

Get some ideas that have worked for other kids

Learn the benefits

• When kids share a room, they learn a lot about how to live and deal with others. They learn how to see each other’s points of view and work things out.
• People who share rooms develop close bonds. If possible, chat with your roommate as part of your wind down.
• Kids who share a bedroom often sleep more soundly once they fall asleep.

Work things out

• Instead of getting angry or frustrated, practice your negotiation and compromising skills. Set rules you both agree to follow. Here are some ideas:
  • No television in the bedroom.
  • No homework in bed.
  • Phones off at an agreed-upon time.
  • Tiptoe quietly when others are sleeping.
  • No turning on bright lights when others are sleeping. Use a nightlight or flashlight.
  • Keep the bedroom door closed when others are sleeping.
  • Keep the room neat. Pick up your stuff to create a restful environment.
  • No eating in the bedroom.
  • Use headphones to listen to music or podcasts (inexpensive earbuds are widely available).
• Think about how you might create a personal space to read or listen to soothing music in one corner of your bedroom. Put a pillow in the space, hang a few pictures on the wall.

• Will any of these ideas work for me? What else could I do?