Kirby Andersen

  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Store

TwitterFacebookInstagram

Live Better. Love More.
Leave A Legacy.

  • Parenting
  • Marriage
  • Health
  • Personal Development

Friday, February 12, 2016

Preserving The Sanctity Of Mom And Dad’s Bedroom

Comments … Email Print

I don’t remember my mom and dad making any big deal about their bedroom being off limits. But I do remember the sense that it was different that the rest of our home. I’d move freely about the house wherever I chose, but I didn’t feel the same freedom about their room.

40257485_ml
Courtesy 123RF/ammentorp;

When we had our own kids, we instilled in them a similar boundary for our bedroom. I know it may not be the same in every family but I feel it’s worthwhile to do so.

I tend to think of our bedroom as our sanctuary. Both sanctuary and sanctity come from the same Latin root meaning holy, sacred, set apart, special, safe.

A special space, set apart for just the married couple. A safe place for private conversation. An intimate place. A restful place. Every couple deserves such a space.

My advice to young parents is to establish that aura about their bedroom with their kids early on. It gives you the privacy you deserve and it’s another way to teach your kids respect.

There were several ways we preserved that sanctity:

  1. Don’t enter without permission. Essentially, the parents’ bedroom is off limits unless you are given permission, invited in, or told to go get something.

  2. Knock before entering. Whether the door is open or not, you knock. It’s a simple way to ask permission. And if the door is closed, you don’t simply knock and barge in—you wait for permission. This is a basic household courtesy for every closed door, but especially mom and dad’s room.

  3. Parents sleep here—not kids. You might choose to differ with me on this one and that is your right as your child’s parent. Yet I’m convinced you’ll be better off by not allowing your child to sleep in your room—bed or floor. If a child needs special attention and comfort due to illness or a bad dream, better for a parent to sleep with the child in the child’s room. If you want to have a fun family slumber party, great—just anywhere other than mom and dad’s room.

If you currently don’t enjoy this special status of your bedroom, it’s relatively easy to make that adjustment. Explain the new boundaries to your kids who are old enough to understand. Gently remind them until they are trained. And show the same respect for their privacy when their bedroom door is closed.

Your child won’t feel loved any less. You’ll be doing them a favor to show honor to their parents in this way. And you’ll enjoy the privacy and peace.

Question: Do you have these same old-school boundaries for your bedroom? Share your answer in the comments below.

Filed Under: Parenting

… Email Print

Like This Post?

Sign up for my blog updates and never miss a post. I’ll send you a FREE eBook as a thank-you.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Free eBook

7 Ways To Supercharge Your Family This Week

Great adventures begin with one step. So do great families. Creating a healthy, loving family isn’t complicated yet it does require doing relatively simple things consistently. That’s why I wrote my new ebook, 7 Ways To Supercharge Your Family This Week: Weekly Activities & Culture-Builders That Will Strengthen Your Family For a Lifetime.

It’s my gift to you—simply for subscribing to my free email newsletter.

About Me

I am a family man. I love and am deeply committed to my family—to become the best I can be for them. And I'm committed to you and your family. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to help others reach for their full potential and hit the mark for which they were created.

I live to help others become better versions of themselves at home and work—to not only weather life’s challenges and positively impact their world, but to raise their children to do the same. In short, to live better, love more, and leave a legacy.

I now write, speak, and coach full-time. I am married and have three sons and two daughters.

More about me →

TwitterFacebookInstagram

Top Posts

  • Preserving The Sanctity Of Mom And Dad's Bedroom
  • A Simple, Convenient Home Salad Bar That Lasts All Week
  • 6 Attributes Of The Dad Your Kids Deserve And Desire
  • Becoming A More Sensitive, Connected, And Supportive Spouse

© 2023 Kirby Andersen · Privacy Policy · Terms & Conditions · Contact Me

Get my free eBook

Enter your name and email address to subscribe to my newsletter and receive my free eBook: 7 Ways To Supercharge Your Family This Week: Weekly Activities & Culture-Builders That Will Strengthen Your Family For a Lifetime.