Out-of-Control Boy’s Room December 6, 2011
Posted by creatingyourspace in : Hints and Tips, Kids, Uncategorized , add a comment
The robot on the top is not the winner; he is merely surveying the destruction left by a boy with way too many toys to his name.
Holidays, birthday parties and grandparents may all have contributed to this pile. And don’t deny it – that red underwater-looking guy was your purchase!
And by the way, equal time to your little girls. Chances are the color and type of toy will be different, but the pile could easily be just as high!
Rescue is at hand. If this situation is reducing your ability to reach his drawers and replace clean clothes and you notice that certain elements are drifting down the hall to the rest of your home, now is the time to handle the situation.
How are you fixed for storage bins? You may want to get a few sizes and colors to help with your sorting. Also pick up a label-maker or at least some stickers and a sharpie.
Now, sit down with your child and start a combination of sorting and negotiating. Even though most children hate to get rid of their possessions, it’s time to use a little strategy. Offer a bounty for every toy given away – say 2 dollars for a big toy and go down to 10 cents for those plastic toy soldiers that are all one color. Let your child know that they can spend that money on whatever they want (as long as it’s already on your approved list).
When you’re finished, chances are that pile will be noticeably reduced. Even the biggest pack-rat child won’t be able to resist the lure of new stuff to pile up in his or her room. Now, don’t delay. Remove the choice objects from sight immediately and donate so that children who are not as privileged as yours can have a pile of their own. And then rejoice – you have a room under control at last. But realize that this is not a one-time project. Prepare to continue until he or she grows up and leaves home permanently.
Put the “Girly” in your Little Girl’s Room November 7, 2011
Posted by creatingyourspace in : Hints and Tips, Kids , 1 comment so farMany little girls dream of a dressing table like this one. You can create a similar look with a little imagination and effort.
Dressing tables are almost always available at used furniture shops for very reasonable 
prices. This table originally sported a dark wood finish, but a light sanding, a coat of primer and another of bright white paint brightened its look.
The original hardware was feminine enough to keep. The table top already had the cut-to-fit glass, but if your choice doesn’t, it’s a good way to keep everything easy to clean.
The final feminine touches come from a silk flower garland and a collection of pretty boxes and bottles. The garlands can be found at hobby or some fabric shops in almost any combination of colors and flower types.
The rest of this room is just as pretty and feminine as this corner. The simple white curtains are trimmed with pink ribbon, and a pink flowered area rug connects this corner to the rest of the room. Add a bedspread that coordinates and your daughter is on her way to having the girly and inviting room of her dreams.
Include your daughter in the planning and execution of her room’s new look. She will enjoy the experience and you will have the chance to show her that she can make her dreams come true with enough effort and time.
Plan for Baking with your Children April 15, 2011
Posted by creatingyourspace in : Kids, Kitchen , add a comment
Baking cookies gives you a great way to connect with your children. If you get them involved in the kitchen from a young age, you are more likely to raise children who enjoy cooking and baking.
To make cooking with children a success, plan ahead. Start by staying in your own kitchen comfort zone. If you’re an avid baker, go ahead and plan on cookies from scratch using one of your child’s favorite recipes. If, on the other hand your cookie efforts are generally limited to picking up a few boxes from your local girl scout, look at cookie mixes or pre-made cookie dough from your grocery’s refrigerator section.
As the next step, prep your baking area and elements. Make sure you have everything you need to make your cookies – both ingredients and tools. Although a kitchen floor is designed to handle spills, have a supply of paper towels or kitchen work towels ready to keep clean-up time to a minimum so you can stay on task with minimal interruptions. Choose a spot in your kitchen with the least clutter, so there will be less to clean up after the baking project is completed.
During the preparation and cutting time, take advantage of the moment to include educational opportunities such as reading, following directions, and measuring accurately. But above all, focus on the fun.
While the cookies bake, start your clean up. Children need to have the full experience, so involve them in that too. Make it simple by putting all the utensils in the sink and putting extra ingredients away. Then move to the countertop and floors last to cover any dripping involved during clean-up.
You may think you’re finished when the cookies come out of the oven and the floor is done but there’s one more step before the first bite: check faces, hands and feet for any extra flour or batter before heading to the flooring in the rest of your home.
The Right Space Helps with Homework August 30, 2010
Posted by creatingyourspace in : Kids , add a commentDesign is all about combining function and aesthetics. Let’s break from the adult design goals and consider what we can do to help design a work space for our children with school starting.
Providing a dedicated space for homework encourages children to keep their school assignments organized and completed on time. Finding that notebook or assignment sheet is easier if there is a desk with an inbox waiting for those papers. A bookshelf holding a dictionary and those book-report books eliminates excuses about misplacing either. Hanging a calendar with a schedule of assignments and other appointments helps eliminate or at least reduce the cries of “I forgot.”
When you start planning the space – look for somewhere quiet and free of distractions such as TV, games or phones. A corner of a child’s room or any other quiet spot will work. If there are hard surface floors in the room and you need a little more noise control, consider using an area rug to help. Furniture can be a simple desk and shelf, or even a table. Be sure to include office supplies such as paper clips and a stapler. Many office items are available in fun colors and shapes to make the space more inviting. Provide some storage – boxes, bins or files – for past projects. With good lighting, the space is ready for your student.
Of course, creating the space is only the start. There is no guarantee that it will make the difference you hope for, but it’s a start toward helping your child or children learn to organize their responsibilities and discover the benefits of a work environment designed just for them.
