Crafting My Bliss

One of the things I have always been proud of is involving the children in decorating our home. I create a base and allow them to add their personal touch. I do not like all of their ideas, the way they express themselves, or where they express themselves, but I allow it within reason.

One of the first things I did was hang their artwork. When my oldest was in elementary school, his artwork was chosen to be displayed at the local mall. The county selects several students from each grade and school every year. I thought it would be a good idea to frame and hang his artwork. Since I always want to include all of my children, I hung his younger brother’s finger painting that he did for his first birthday. Their works were put in matching frames and hung in our family room. They still hang there today. When my daughter was old enough to create something, I hung her artwork on another wall in the house. When the kids were younger, it made them feel special. My middle child was so surprised that I even had something he painted on his first birthday.

My daughter took the liberty of putting every sticker she got at the end of every dance class on the pedestal sink in our powder room. She also has a wall outside her room full of stickers, even the ones from children’s clothes with their respective sizes. This makes her happy, and while I do not love it, it does not hurt anyone. She has made things for different holidays that she likes to have on display, and I will always oblige for the season.

The boys have each decorated their rooms in their own way. They are not very interested in decorating anywhere else in the house. The only time I get a concerted effort from everyone these days is at Christmas. That’s when it is all hands on deck to decorate the tree. My husband is always involved too.

I hope this has helped them feel included and like this is their house too. We will see, maybe one day when they are older they will share their feelings, maybe not. All I know is that I have tried to make them feel included. Sometimes trying is all you can do.