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The Orignal Cozy Crib Tent

There are probably people who would give me a lot of static if they found out that my 3 year old is still sleeping in a crib.   Such as, all my friends who give me a lot of static for putting my 3 year old in a crib.    Despite this, I would have no real objections to leaving him there until he leaves for college, if only I didn’t need the crib soon for his little brother (still a 'work in progress').    This will be a difficult transition for us both, as Jack loves the familiarity of his crib and I love that he can reliably found there in the morning.   The thing that makes this beautiful relationship work is one of my favorite children's products, the Original Cozy Crib Tent by Tots in Mind.

What led me to the Crib Tent was a toddler's impeccable sense of timing.   While traveling for the holiday's shortly before Jack's second birthday, I set up his portable crib, put him in it, and he promptly climbed back out.  I was horrified.  We were in a non baby-proofed house including un-gated stairs, tons of electronics...I knew instantly I wouldn't have a seconds rest the entire trip as Jack was the type of child that would party all day and night if allowed.   I spent that horrible first night sleeping with my son (after going to bed at 9pm, his bedtime) being kicked in the ribs, wet on, and generally woken up every 20 minutes.   I got up the next morning and told my mother I was going to drive home (6 hours away) because I wouldn't survive another day of being Jack's Siamese twin.

At my mother's urging, I began researching on the internet and found the crib tent.   Of course it didn't work with a portable crib, so I had to buy a full size crib for my mom's house (my desperation knew few bounds).    Although Jack had never tried to climb out of his full size crib at home, in conquering the portable crib, he had mentally made the leap that he could leave a crib under his own power, something his height would have supported from an early age.    Then after trying four stores, I finally found it.   Nirvana.   The crib tent works by sitting on top of the regular crib and velcroed to the edges.   There is a zippered door to get your child in or out.   As clever as your child might be, they aren't getting out; trust me, mine tried. 

Over time, Jack came to love his tent and considered it his "house".   And a product I loved became a company I loved when after a period of time, the zipper separated; they replaced the zipper and netting for free.   I nearly faint in shock when I run into a company that believes in customer service and quality anymore, so I'm pleased to report that Tots in Mind simply said,  "was it misused in any way?  No?  Well it shouldn't do that then, let me send you a new one."  I was so surprised, it momentarily made me uncomfortable and I almost begged them to let me give them a credit card number.

I'm sure there are a lot of good reasons for moving your child out of their crib once they learn to climb out, but I've slept pretty soundly over the last three years knowing that mine was safe in his crib and sleeping or playing quietly until he was retrieved.   If they had these tents for 'big boy' beds, I'd be first in line to buy one!