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I'm OK with co-sleeping in the beginning, but I think there is a time when the child needs to go to there own bed, and I think that is before they are 1.

I co-slept with DS for a LOT longer then I ever planned, but that was because of some stressful/emotional events that happened, and it was just me in a big ol bed! But still, that only lasted until he was about 6 or so months old.

Our LO is 3, and he sometimes likes to come into our bed in the weeee hours of the night/early morning. Sometimes we're too tired to fight it, but most of the time, we try to take him back to his bed.
He's always been a terrible sleeper, and while I was BFing, it was just easier to leave him in the bed with us from time to time. It was a struggle to get him back into his bed for a long time, but it's gotten a lot better now that he's older.
We for sure can't have a family bed, mainly because our LO sleeps like a damn starfish. Not to mention nooky is basically out of the question. No bueno, imo.
ETA: When my SO sometimes leaves for work super early in the morn (like 4 am!), and our LO traipses in to snuggle, I admit I love it, and don't put him back in his own bed.

I guess that, while I don't really get people who do family beds, I'd say whatever they like. I admit though, that it really bothers me to hear of situations like the one you describe where it isn't a true family bed, but dad getting booted. It just seems like a slippery slope towards losing intimacy in your marriage.

I haven't done this myself, but I would definitely see some areas it could create difficulties in. Firstly it would most likely be pushing your FH out of the bed given the way your LO sleeps. Also I would imagine creating intimacy issues as well. I also wonder about separation anxiety issues. Being with someone 24/7 including sleeping in the same room I would wonder about the dependency upon each other, and the possibility of separation anxiety in the future. Also, what would happen if you were to go on a vacation, or an overnight away from your LO and now they are dependent upon having someone in the bed with them, and whom ever they are with does not share the bed with them, how will it effect there sleep quality.

Wow, in the guest room? That's kinda sad and strange.LOL

My SO wouldn't have that even if I wanted Baby Bear there for an extended time. She's in her bassinette now til about 4 or 5 months, then she has to go to her room. Only because she'll be sleeping better and I won't have to feed her as often through the night.

Co-sleeping is such a personal preference. I like the idea of the side sleeper basinette cause when LO arrives im going to be breast feeding but I imagine moving him/her to their own crib within a few months. When you think about it, animals dont even put their young out initially. I just think its a slippery slope when the child is older.

We are definitely going to be using a co-sleeper that attaches to our bed for the first 6-9 months, but then we would like to move them to a nursery by 12 months.

Haha! I said I would never co-sleep. Ever. Then came my daughter who loved sleeping 7 hours in the crib and swaddled only for a few months and then we brought her to bed for good reason--she started rolling on her face but not rolling back over. We were against sleep positioners. It was supposed to be temporary while she worked on her tummy time but she has been there for the past 7 months and Hubby has been off an on to the family bed. We are planning on sending her out for good again at 1 year. I definitely don't think it's for everyone but once I started telling friends 'what happened to us' so many people came out of the closet. We try to look at the benefits....#1 being---we all sleep better, cuddling, checking on her often. But yah, I don't recommend it to anyone. You just gotta know your family and yourself.
As for effects--@ 10 months, our baby is very attached to us but very social and interactive as well. My husband and I have had hard moments (mostly me missing the intimacy) but ultimately he is very supportive. We see it like breastfeeding, you just make temporary sacrifices to nurture your baby as you see fit.