Rocky Sink Farm

When my curious nine month old baby began showing signs she was ready for more independence, I wondered if it was time to transition from her crib. This led me down an internet rabbit hole of information on Montessori floor beds – an intriguing concept aligned with Montessori philosophy allowing freedom of movement. While Etsy offered some pricey, picture-perfect versions, I opted to simply place a crib mattress on the floor of her thoroughly baby-proofed room.

This budget-friendly approach seemed sensible until that first restless night when I was up repeatedly relocating my rolling explorer back to her makeshift bed. My sleep-deprived brain hatched a plan for a DIY wooden bed frame – low enough to allow easy access but tall enough to keep her safely contained. I rang my handyman father, the magician of home projects, and explained my vision.

The next night, I temporarily camped out on the floor next to the mattress so I could more easily catch her before she rolled onto the floor. By the third night, my dad had worked his magic, delivering a perfectly customized, Montessori-inspired floor bed frame. It was just the right height and size to meet both my daughter’s needs and my peace of mind.

UPDATE: Over a year later, the simple yet clever design still works perfectly. The independence it allows suits my daughter well. She can freely get in and out of bed, choosing when to start her day. And to my relief, I’ve enjoyed many mornings of extra rest listening to her contentedly playing while I greet the new day at my own pace.

I’m so grateful for the loving support of family making these parenting trials a little easier to navigate. With patience and teamwork, small changes can make a big difference on our journey of raising a capable, self-assured child.