[blueflower]

Hi. I've been a lurker here for a bit, and finally decided to join you all. I have a question about something that I'm pretty sure has been talked about before, but couldn't find it by searching. So I thought perhaps someone would know of a thread, or be able to answer this question.

Some background: We are at the beginning of the application process. While filling out paper work and getting ready to start the class I've been wanting to set up bedrooms. Right now all we have is a complete double bed and a twin frame. So we will need a matress for the twin. We are able to get a set of bunk beds (that can be made into two beds if needed) and two dressers from family. (I was so happy when I realized that we wouldn't have to buy beds - they are moving and need to get rid of EVERYTHING.) The one bedroom is large enough to handle the double bed and two or three twins, though for now I'm thinking of only putting one in there. The other room is large enough for the bunk beds and another twin or two, so three twins total. (We are in an older home, so the rooms aren't exactly small. The tall ceilings help with the feeling too.) Not knowing what age we might get, as we are open to almost any age, this will mean we are set for most kids. However, I've considered looking for a crib also. Probably also second hand.

Here is the question: If we get a crib, but don't need it what is the best way to store it? How do you handle this? Can I keep it in the (unfinished, somewhat musty) basement? I'm thinking more of the mattress, as I think the frame would be okay in the basement or garage.

Also, DH and I have by FAR the smallest closet. It is half the size of the second bedroom's and less than 1/4 the size of the third bedroom's (whose closet was created in the eves of the attic). We have enough room for the current season's clothes, but not both summer and winter ones. Oh, I think I just figured out my answer ... but I'll ask anyway ... is it okay to keep some of our off-season clothes in the larger closet, or would you keep them somewhere else? I just had the thought of rolling underbed storage as a solution, though it wouldn't necessarily be a cheap one. Also, I had thought about putting shelves in the second bedroom's closet as it has a chimney and two air ducts in the back corner that make it impossible to use that part to hang anything. This would give me space to store extra food items or other things. Good idea or no?

I guess I'm just not sure how much to trust that a fk wouldn't get into things.Okay, beyond the normal curiostiy kids have. Maybe I'm just being too anal.

Please, share your thoughts and any advise you might have.

[mom2fabtwins]

I took my crib apart an stored it under a twin bed (works better under a full) Keep the mattress under a bed also - great for sleep overs or a "camping" night.

It is fine to keep off season clothes in another room. I use the plastic buckets with lids and stack them one on top of the other in the closet. Label the outside and you are set.

[mountaineermom]

the fks bedroom has two closets, and my fiance keeps his suits and coats in one of them. SW has never said anything about it, as long as the kids have one closet. Luckily, I have a large basement to store cribs and all the clothes we have gotten for different size kids. The matress, on the other hand is kept under the twin bed. I LOVE toddler beds because they are cheap, and we can use the same matress that goes with the crib, since we only can take two placements at a time, depending on how old the child is, we either use the crib matress in the crib or on the toddler bed. It makes storage so much easier.

[CaddoRose]

My house was built in 1904 and closets were added somewhere along the line, so they are small and take up a portion of the room along the wall. I can't put all my clothes in any one closet, so the summer stuff is in our closet and the winter stuff is in bins and put in the top shelves of the other closets. There is just no other way to do it. No one has ever said to not do that as long as they see there is enough room for a foster child's clothes in it also. I have bins of kids clothes in the closets as well, all marked with season and sizes.