lifestyles; the one
place they should
be able to simply
drift off to a peace-
ful sleep is in their
room.
Feng Shui prin-
ciples can help
parents create the
environment that
promotes quiet
calm and sleep. To
encourage relax-
ation, consider
painting the baby’s
room a soft color,
such as cream,
pale blue or laven-
der. Add soothing
artwork, mono-
chromatic or pale, printed bedding and gentle aromas from
traces of essential oils (chamomile, rose, vanilla or lavender)
in baby-safe products. Position the crib so that the baby can
see the door to help quell anxiety, and remove or push a
distracting mobile to the side when it’s not playtime. Also,
choose furniture with rounded edges and keep a window
open or a ceiling fan on low to let air and energy circulate
through the room, suggests Rodika Tchi, a feng shui consul-
tant in Vancouver, British Columbia.
ing it to them in their room is a real gift,” says Butler.
Young Child She suggests making an art project space out of a
Toddlers and grade school kids need calm and quiet periods, closet or a corner space in the room. “Keep it set up so it
too, but they also require a place to be creative. “Children encourages art to be happening at any moment.” For example,
paint every day, and love to show their works on walls and the door can be removed or closed when not in use. Mount an
refrigerator doors. We assume, I suppose, that children are extra table on the wall to be dropped down as needed, like old
just learning motor coordination and alphabets,” comments ironing boards did. “There are never enough tables,” says Butler,
Thomas Moore in his classic Care of the Soul. “But maybe “so find clever ways to create them and teach the kids to clear
they are doing something more fundamental: finding forms them while waiting in anticipation of the next project.”
that reflect what is going on in their souls.”
Mimi Doe, publisher of the online magazine SpiritualPar- Pre-teen
enting.com, agrees. “Allow your child’s room to be a safe base From junior high through high school, privacy and respite
for soulful exploration,” she counsels. “Give him a choice in become crucial for children weathering the turbulent
color, fabric, and furniture. Allow her to decorate the door adolescent years. Doe suggests that “If your child wants a
with silver paint, if she so desires, or collage her closet with cozy, private, snug nest, suspend sheets from the ceiling on
images she loves, cut from magazines.” all four sides of the child’s bed. Purchase curtain rods from
“Children are far more concerned with what they can make the hardware store that screw into the ceiling; sew tabs on
than with being neat,” observes Katillac. “Like magpie nests, the sheets and hang them up for a low cost, royal canopy
their rooms are typically a collection of favorite things—bau- bed. If two or more kids share a room, ensure that each has
bles, souvenirs, picture of their heroes: scientists, superheroes, privacy—bookcases or rice paper panels to divide the space
athletes, musicians and movie stars. They collect stamps, dolls, is one solution.”
rocket ships, planetary models, horse statues, records and books. Adolescents also need as much freedom as possible to
Ant farms and musical instruments sit side-by-side.” change room colors and posters, arrangement of furnishings
Over time, however, all those dinosaurs, pretty rocks and even bedding, in order to reflect their growing individu-
and doll clothes can pile up. More and more stuff can crowd ality. Thus, their room becomes a welcome respite from the
a room and seem chaotic, so a good storage system is a must. peer pressure to be just like everyone else.
Closet systems, bookcases, toy chests, bulletin boards and Judith Fertig is a freelance lifestyle writer in Overland Park, KS;
shelving can help corral kids’ collections and art projects. “Kids
like structure, although they would never ask for it, so giv- for more, see AlfrescoFoodAndLifestyle.blogspot.com.
March 2010 47
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