DIY: Kids’ rooms storage, décor and more

By: Angela Ardolino

Designing your kids’ rooms can be a daunting task but creating a space that is functional is important to making it last for 18 years. If you’re child is old enough, this can also be a great time to have your child give input and help with the design and assembly of their room. If you involve them they’re more likely to enjoy their space and you’ll have a nice helper along the way.

Whether you’re converting an old room or starting from scratch, here are a few areas to keep in mind.

Color

Starting with an inspiration piece can be a great help. Find something that reflects your or your child’s personalities, as it will help guide the room in the best direction. This can be an old book, favorite jersey or any other item. Your piece will dictate whether you want to stay in a certain color tone or use the colors from your son’s favorite football team.  And remember, you don’t always have to paint each wall the same color. Maybe choose one strong, vibrant color from your inspiration piece to paint one wall while leaving the rest white.

Furniture and Storage

Storage is a very important factor when it comes to creating a functional kid’s room and finding furniture that has built in storage will be a tremendous help. IKEA offers custom design closet inserts that can be tailored to your child’s specific needs. Most come with baskets that can be used to store games, books and toys out of site. Choosing a bed that has underneath space is good too. You can find large containers that slide under the bed which will help keep clutter out of site when the families in town. Furniture is also a great place to think out of the box. Visit local antique shops, garage sales and even family members to find unique pieces of furniture that can add a unique flare to the room while still supplying creative storage solutions. Planning a layout BEFORE you buy furniture will save you a lot of time and frustration.

Safety

Hands down, this is the most important part of your child’s room. Whether your buying new furniture or pulling something from somewhere else in the house, it’s important that all furniture in your child’s room meets current safety guidelines. Make sure that all shelves and tables are attached to a secure anchor and can withstand being bump or pushed on. Too much clutter can also be dangerous. Once a year, have your child decide which toys they no longer want or need and donate them to a local children’s charity. Why not teach giving when they’re early.

Budget

Most families don’t have an exorbitant amount of money to spend on a room. Be wise with your dollar. Decide on the pieces that must be new and the rest can be recycled from somewhere else in the house or a local garage sale. You’ll be surprised by the great things you’ll find. Also, don’t feel pressured to buy everything at once. Buy in stages. If you like a certain piece of furniture but the price is too high wait for it to go on sale or reach out to another local store who might be able to beat the price on a similar item. Set a budget and follow it.

When designing any room, be creative. Think of making a space that is aesthetically beautiful but has purpose and function. Creating a space that your kids love and works for them. As you kid gets older use these same ideas when replacing or rearranging their room. Most importantly, have fun.

Sources:

www.TBParenting.com

www.IKEA.com

www.CasanovaDesignGroup.com

The Importance of Bike Helmets

By Angela Ardolino

The day you buy your child his first bicycle is sure to be a milestone in your life. But it’s important to remember that bicycles are more than just a toy; they are associated with more childhood injuries than any consumer product except the automobile. In 2004, nearly 275,000 children were treated in hospital emergency rooms for bicycle-related injuries, and 132 children ages 14 and under died as a result of a bike-related crash.

You can greatly reduce your children’s risk of injury and death simply by setting some limits. A single rule – wear a helmet or don’t ride – can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent.  Kids, especially 11- to 14-year-olds, are sometimes reluctant to wear helmets. They may insist they’re good riders who don’t need helmets anymore, complain that helmets are uncomfortable, or point out that none of their friends wear them. Your child may be especially mature for her age; he may be a particularly skilled rider; or it just might feel easier to give in. But experts at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital urge you to resist that temptation. Requiring your children to wear a helmet every time, everywhere they go, is the best thing you can do to protect them.

If your child rides a bike, then he probably also enjoys skateboards, scooters or inline skates. Make sure that whenever he "wheels" around, he's wearing the right gear.

Don’t negotiate. It’s estimated that 75 percent of bicycle-related deaths among children could be prevented with a bicycle helmet.

Correct fit is essential. Do the "Eyes, Ears and Mouth" check

EYES check: Position the helmet on your head. Look up and you should see the bottom rim of the helmet (one to two fingers above the eyebrows).

EARS check: Make sure the straps of the helmet form a "V" under your ears when buckled. The strap should be snug but comfortable.

MOUTH check: Now open your mouth as wide as you can! Do you feel the helmet hug your head? If not, tighten those straps!

If your child is reluctant to wear her helmet, try letting her choose her own. Helmets come in many colors and styles – allowing children to choose a helmet that’s “cool” may make them less likely to take it off when you’re not around.  There are many safe and FUN style to choose from.  Check out 

http://www.fohawx.com, http://www.raskullz.com/

Talk to other parents and encourage them to have their kids wear helmets. Let your children see that you wear a helmet, too. Children are more likely to wear helmets when riding with others who wear them.

www.tbparenting.com

http://www.sjbhealth.org/body_childrens.cfm?id=2163

Single Parents’ Survival Guide

By: Angela Ardolino

 Look For Other Role-Models

1. 1. Look to other family members to be role models for your children, someone who will be around and can take them for one-on-one time once in a while.
   2. Become close with your child’s teachers, instructors and coaches. This way, they can become important influences and role models for your children and will help you keep you informed about your child’s progress. 
2. Build A Support Group
   1. Share responsibilities with other parents, it will lighten your load. They can help you with picking up the kids from school and getting them to swim practice.
   2. Free babysitting is the best. You can trade with friends who have kids, other family members and don’t underestimate grandma and grandpa!
3. Empower Your Kids
   1. Let them take on responsibilities they can handle on their own, children as young as four can take on tasks like picking out clothes for school.
   2. All household activities can be accomplished as a family and can double as bonding time. Have your kids help out with cleaning, cooking dinner and grocery shopping.
4. Dating Dilemma
   1. If you are dating it should not be kept a secret because then you’re lying to your kids. You’re not doing anything wrong, so why would you hide it? If you have open communication with them, they will understand.

Even though these tips are especially important for single parents they are really tips for all parents. Even if there are two parents, there should still be communication with a child’s teachers, coaches and other adults in their life.

Angela’s Teachable Moment: Take one night a week for just you and your children where you either make a special dinner or take them out for one on one time to remind them that despite life’s hustle and bustle they are still important to you.