healthykids
Goodnight, Moon
Creating Soulful Bedrooms for Children
by Judith Fertig
A
child represents “a shift, a cel-
Forbes, authors of The Peaceful Nurs-
ebration, a milestone” in the life
ery. Babies are stimulated enough by
of any family, remarks author
modern lifestyles; the one place they
and artist Jill Butler. In her recent book,
should be able to simply drift off to a
Create the Space You Deserve, she
peaceful sleep is in their room.
explores how loving parents want their
Provide comfy pillows on the bed
Feng Shui principles can help
little ones to feel happy at home every
along with a good reading lamp.
parents create the environment that
day in a loving, nurturing safe place,
promotes quiet calm and sleep. To
where they can grow into the fullness
encourage relaxation, consider paint-
of who they are meant to be.
“Their rooms are like the French ing the baby’s room a soft color, such
“All kids need a space of their
expression le jardin secret... their as cream, pale blue or lavender. Add
own, a sacred place, where everyday
secret garden,” continues Butler. “It’s soothing artwork, monochromatic
realities like peer pressure, family
their most basic nest, so encourage or pale, printed bedding and gentle
issues, bullies at school or low self-
and allow it to grow into their space aromas from traces of essential oils
esteem cannot penetrate; a place of
just as they want it.” Making a child’s (chamomile, rose, vanilla or lavender)
comfort and creativity that reflects and
room such a soulful sanctuary is an in baby-safe products. Position the
encourages their own positive inten-
ongoing project, as periodic changes crib so that the baby can see the door
tions and beliefs, values, goals and
reflect the individual growth and to help quell anxiety, and remove or
dreams for life,” elaborates Kellee
changing interests of a child, from the push a distracting mobile to the side
Katillac, author of Kids’ Sacred Places:
crib to a teenager’s digs. when it’s not playtime. Also, choose
Rooms for Believing and Belonging.
furniture with rounded edges and keep
She advises that no matter what is go-
New Baby a window open or a ceiling fan on low
ing on in the outside world, the interior
An infant’s room needs to be soft and to let air and energy circulate through
world of a child’s room should be a
soothing, so a baby can adjust to the the room, suggests Rodika Tchi, a feng
refuge of calm, comfort, creativity and
“less-cushioned” life outside the womb, shui consultant in Vancouver, British
renewal.
note Laura Forbes Carlin and Alison Columbia.
0 Collier/Lee Counties swfl .naturalawakeningsmag.com
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