Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Joanna Goddard lives with her husband, 3-year-old son, and 10-month-old baby boy in downtown Manhattan. Space is a serious luxury in NYC, and that's definitely the case for Goddard, who recently wrote on her popular blog Cup of Jo that she moved her little one's crib into one of the two bathrooms in her family's two-bedroom apartment.
She explained how she makes the space extra-comfortable for her son by placing a travel crib in the center of the clean, white-tiled room and places a pillow between the crib and closed toilet. She also uses a white noise machine on the toilet lid to create a soothing mood. Goddard says it was what she needed to do to help him get as much sleep as possible, and she shares that the solution has been working really well. But unsurprisingly and disappointingly, this confession unleashed a plethora of harsh words and judgment.
Some critical reactions included concerns about safety and building codes (i.e., rooms without windows cannot legally be used as bedrooms according to city building code). But the Administration for Children's Services says the absence of windows is not deemed a potential threat. They're most concerned with babies sleeping in their own crib or bassinet to prevent SIDS and suffocation.
That should serve to hush those who are quick to judge Goddard and other parents simply doing their best to create the best sleeping arrangement given the confines of their living space. And if it's not, perhaps they could consider how everyone's living situation is unique. People live within commuting distance of their jobs or because their families are nearby. We all work with what we've got, and sometimes that means doing something unconventional to get the job done.
Ultimately, while every parent would probably love to offer their kid a swanky, plush, studio apartment-sized nursery, they just do not have the space to spare. And maybe they don't even have bedroom space to spare. As long as the alternative is clean and safe, nothing else should matter.
How do you feel about parents moving their nurseries into bathrooms or closets?
Image via Valentina Powers/Flickr
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
