Ever since my daughter, Darcie, turned four I haven't stopped hearing "but Mum, I'm a big girl now". She literally say's it about 27 times a day. From wanting to pick out her own clothes to washing up her own plate, she really is embracing the fact she's just that little bit more older and wiser. God help me when she turns 13. One thing she keeps talking about it re-decorating her room. She is dying for a sleeper style bed and wants "grey, pink and gold everywhere!" (her own words there), whilst I'm completely loving her idea's, she even came and hopped on Pinterest with me and showed me everything she likes. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness. I remember doing her, what I thought, big girls room thinking it would see her through until she was around 8. But no, this not so little lady has other ideas.
One of my favorite memories from my youth was when my mom let me decorate my bedroom after I had done a detailed plan of how I would like it to look. Purple and blue were my chosen color scheme. Purple walls and then, with a stencil I made blue swirls around the top section. We even found matching bedding and curtains. I was so proud of that room and loved that my mom let my ideas come to life.
According to leading developmental psychologist, Dr Sam Wass, it's vital to children's development to let them help with decisions when it comes to decorating their room. "Children typically create little things, but the bedroom is the first real, permanent thing that they can influence. Involving a child helps them to establish their own inner space and the image that they want to project to others. And for parents, having a chance to work together with their children can really help to establish a stable and respectful relationship". Upon reflecting the way my parents allowed me to decorate my room, I completely agree with every word.
Dulux has recognised this and has created a Kids' Bedrooms Summer Holiday Workbook which highlights all of these benefits of involving your children in the process. The summer holiday is the perfect time to make this dream a reality, and although we're not doing Darcie's transformation until nearer Christmas, we've been busy going through the workbook and planning exactly how she would like it.
For those of you, whose little ones are struggling for idea's Dulux has also created a range of themes and how-to guides to help support you on every step of your decorating journey. With advice on which kind of paint to use, such as the Dulux Endurance + Matt, which is an extremely tough paint that is 20x tougher than standard Dulux Matt - exactly what you need in a child's room! It's the perfect place to begin your childs room transformation.
So, as I mentioned, Darcie is after a very girly room, mainly pink and gray with gold polka dots. She want's a sleeper style bed so she can have a "den underneath" complete with fairy lights. She has a very clear vision and I kind of love it.
Has your child had any input in the design of their rooms? What would their dream room be?
Mummy B xoxox
*Post in collaboration with Dulux. I received paint in exchange for this post. All thoughts and opinions, as always are my own.
