I have been reading (and responding on occasion) to posts here; I started in the March 2011 group as well. I am 41 (please don't tell anyone) in the NY outer-boroughs. I have a 5-year old boy and a newbown boy (3/30). The journey to the years of separation is a story in and of itself, but he is here and I am truly blessed.
Now that I have introduced myself I wanted to solicit your opinion about sleeping arrangements. I evicted my older boy from our room after 2 weeks (because I knew I would have a hard time so the earlier I "ripped the band-aid off" the better). However, with my new one, the issue is a little more complicated since space is at a premium. How old should #2 be to share room with older one? (Older one sleeps like a log so for me it is more of an issue trusting that #1 will not try to "help" when I am not there.) My choices outside of this are to move #2 to a small porch in the front (which would be totally inappropriate for #1 because there are too many windows and no door to close).
Sorry if this sounds like babbling but I would really appreciate any opinions or experiences.
Re: Intro and Question
Hi there! Welcome!
I don't have any good advice (our 20 month old still sleeps with us). Hopefully someone here has good advice for you. Just wanted to welcome you
Hi, welcome! I'm 43.
Margaux sleeps in our bed, and though I would LOVE to say she'll be in her own room once the new baby comes, I am not optimistic. We're going to put an arm's reach cosleeper next to the bed for the new baby, and once the baby pretty much SSTN we're going to try evicting both of them to another room at the same time. Not that that has anything to do with your situation!
How large is your son's room? Could you pick up a room divider, or long baby gate, and leave the door open during the day and close it when the baby sleeps? If your son's a climber, you could put a bell on it so you'd hear if he tries to go say "hi" before you're comfortable with that. Just a thought.
Welcome! I am 41 and mom of 2, who share a room. For us, it has worked out really well. DS is only 2 1/2, and he is really good about staying in bed. DD at 8 months sleeps well through the night most nights. I guess I would try having the boys share a room for a while, and then you can always move the baby to the porch if it doesn't work out (But being from the northern US, I think it may cold long term).
I shared a room with my sisters until we moved from my parents house.