Having raised five children, my wife and I know first hand how challenging it can be to juggle the responsibilities of busy work and family schedules.
There were many nights, when we were really tuckered out and looked forward to a good night's sleep.
We always had a comfortable bed to which we could retire and made sure that our kids did as well.
The pace and demands of raising a family today seem to be even more hectic.
Many of you parents, and perhaps most of you, may not get enough sleep.
You may feel sleep deprived and long for the weekends or holidays, when you can sleep in and catch up on those lost hours of sleep.
No matter what your personal situation is, however, you know how important it is that your children get the sleep that they need.
You want your kids to be happy and well rested.
They need to sleep well in a cozy and comfortable bed.
The sounder they sleep, the more cheerful and happier they are likely to be.
The happier they are, the more likely it is that they will get a better night's sleep.
Happy kids sleep soundly, particularly when they love the bed they sleep in! If they are in school, you want them to arrive there each day well rested.
Then they are more likely to have a productive and peaceful day.
We all appreciate how important a really good bed is.
Often, when we are on the road and away from home, we don't sleep as well as we do at home.
Those unfamiliar hotel room beds are rarely as inviting and conducive to a good night's sleep, as we would like.
If you are like me, you can't wait to get home to see your spouse and kids, to be there for the nightly bedtime routine and then to go to sleep in your own bed.
Fewer things are more personal than being able to spend quiet time with our kids and read them a bedtime story.
It was a nightly ritual for me with our five little ones, who were close in age.
I look back fondly on those days, recalling the peaceful and quiet times with an inquisitive quintet before tucking them into their beds for a good night's sleep.
Then I would curl up with my wife in our own bed and drift off into a peaceful sleep.
You can't overestimate the value of a really good bed.
Maybe you were one of the fortunate few, who always had your own bedroom.
I never was! You may have been more like me.
Until I went off to college, I always shared a bedroom with one or more of my brothers.
We had a large bedroom with twin beds and a smaller cot.
My two sisters shared a room with twin beds.
If you shared a room, it may have been with twin beds or possibly bunk beds.
If the latter, do you remember how you decided who got the top bunk and who got the bottom bunk? If you are starting to look around for the best bed(s) for your child or children, here are some things you should think about:

• Involving your children.
   Encourage your kids to think creatively about how to use the space and what kind of beds they think would work best.
  They are the ones who will be sleeping in the bedroom(s).
  The more input they are able to provide, the greater the likelihood that they will be pleased with the final decision.
  
• Usage.
    How important is it to you and the children that each has his or her own room, if that is an option? Would they prefer to share a room? If they could have a room set aside as a playroom or activity room, would they like that, even though it might mean sharing a bedroom?What kind of beds would they like? Will it be a platform bed? Twins? Bunkbeds? A loft?  
• Space.
  You will need to assess carefully how much space you have available to you for the number of children, and how you might most efficiently use it.
  If you are looking at only one room, bunk beds are your best space saver.
  One or two twins, or a captain's bed or platform bed with a trundle may work well for you.
  You may also want to consider beds with built in storage drawers.
  Getting beds which have headboards with shelves might be helpful.
  Also look at matching dressers, book/toy shelves and bedside tables that might help you fill your needs.
  Having more than one 'bedroom' available increases your options significantly.
  
• Sleepovers If you have or anticipate having frequent sleepovers, that might influence your decision on the number and types of beds you purchase.
  Another cost saving option might be to buy attractive sleeping bags and simple floormats.
  

Finally, you should find the right place to buy high quality kids bedroom furniture, that will last for years.
Remember, you want to provide a pleasant and peaceful atmosphere, where your children can sleep soundly and wake up cheerful, rested and ready to bring joy to their own lives and to yours.