by patterned

Yellow décor works well in the kitchen because it adds some instant sunshine to the room, whatever the weather is like outside. Warm creams and buttery tones are perfect with many designs of fitted kitchens and will be equally as successful in a traditional farmhouse setting or a high-gloss contemporary one. The light within the space is important too: warmth from yellowy artificial lighting can add to the sunny mood and good access to natural light brings any interior to life.

Yellow is also a key colour for the season so you will be bang on trend if you decide to include it in your plans. If all-over yellow on the walls or even the kitchen units themselves doesn’t appeal to you then how about a bright canary yellow as an accent colour in a stylish white and silver kitchen. www.wrenkitchens.com have a fantastic range of styles to choose from and can advise you on what colours and models go well together so if you need some help, don’t hesitate to speak to the experts.

Your kitchen will often be the central hub of the home so make sure you are delighted with how it looks and not driven mad by the layout, the decorating or any of the other features. A happy kitchen equals a happy home!

Enter the major DIY bedroom project which needs to be completed on a fairly tight timescale. Although baby will be sharing our room to start with, we want our older children settled into their new arrangements as early as possible to avoid a

by Philip Fibiger

ny feelings of being pushed out by their tiny sibling. With that in mind, we also need to ‘sell’ the idea of them sharing a room and get them a bit excited about it. Luckily we have two girls and so a trip to a local bed sale has started the ball rolling as they are giddy about having new beds and of course, matching bedding.

http://www.bensonsforbeds.co.uk was a great place to shop for children’s beds and we have gone for divan models with handy storage drawers underneath as space is at a premium in the new joint bedroom. They also got ‘girlie’ pink fa

bric headboards which I am going to help them customise with appliquéd letters and motifs so that they feel they are making their room even more personal.

In comes Grandpa with the wall paper they chose between them and the room is a haven of pink cuteness for little girls. If we can only get them to go to bed and sleep rather than talking for hours we will be onto a winner – hopefully the novelty will wear off soon. Now then, on to the nursery….

]]> http://www.women-interests.info/bedroom-babies/feed/ 0 http://www.women-interests.info/christmas-sorted-for-your-little-girl/ http://www.women-interests.info/christmas-sorted-for-your-little-girl/#comments Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:19:34 +0000 Diana Prince http://www.women-interests.info/?p=1580  

by Ashley Coombs

Still doing last minute Christmas shopping? Better get a move on! If you need some further inspiration then have a read of this list of my recommendations of the top ten best Christmas gifts for a little girl this year… and as they say on X Factor, these are in no particular order:

1. A cuddly toy animal which comes alive. Well, not actually alive but they have batteries and make noises and move about. Look out for puppies and kittens as well as guinea pigs, rabbits and hamsters.

2. Baby dolls. A classic toy which never goes out of fashion. Dress them, take them for walks in the pram and give them a milk bottle – ah, bless.

3. Dressing up clothes. Feed their imagination with costumes to suit everyone: princesses for your little princess or a doctor, cow girl or vet for action girls.

4. Colouring stuff. An absolute winner and the perfect stocking filler. Pens, pencils or crayons it really doesn’t matter. Throw in some stickers and a selection of colouring pads and bright paper and you can’t go far wrong.

5. A newly decorated bedroom. Tell them the elves have been hard at work, put their beds for sale and invest in a cabin bed in the shape of a castle – amazing.

6. Story books. Read them yourself, picture books or junior novels for you to read to them a chapter a night at bedtime. Choose some classics or go for a quirky modern tale.

7. A special party dress. Every little girl likes to get dressed up for Christmas so make it even more of an occasion and gift wrap the new outfit with shoes to match.

8. Educational toys. They don’t even have to realise that you are trying to increase their knowledge. Maybe a world map for geography, a recorder for music or an abacus for maths.

9. Up to the minute gadgetry. I’m a bit old fashioned myself but there is nothing wrong with a dancing game for the games console, a new DVD to watch or a handheld device to improve hand eye co-ordination.

10. New bedding and pyjamas. Get them to bed early on Christmas Eve with new night time stuff! Try the selection of duvet sets at Bensons for Beds and buy pj’s with their favourite characters on.

Photo: istockphoto.com

My top tips for this adventure include choosing a time when they will be out for a while and taking a deep breath before you head into the fray. Cross the room to the window and open it as wide as you can before taking your next breath and then brace yourself for your first look at the inevitable carnage.

When I went down this route in my house I had pre-warned the reluctant occupant that their siege was about to come to an end and was reassured truculently that it wasn’t that bad. Ha! Liar. And this is from a girl – my heart goes out to anyone with boys to contend with. Instantly I was mad at the sight of my hardwood doors studded with drawing pins, but the real horror was the floor.

The upshot is that a cream carpet in a child or teenagers bedroom is definitely a bad idea unless they are obsessively clean, and let’s face it that is certainly not the norm. The carpet surrounding the dressing table evidenced make-up experiments with everything from face powder to lipstick and mascara ground in, and the floor by the sofa was practically a menu of the meals and drinks enjoyed whilst lounging around.

I was not impressed! The only way forward was to rip it all out and start again with hardwood flooring which is a far more sensible choice. It looks fantastic and the need to empty the room in order to have it installed meant an ideal opportunity to have a big throw out and a good clean.

The teenager in question after much reluctance got on board with the project and now seems a little bit more house proud. We shall see how long it lasts! Needless to say, we now have a much more ‘open door’ policy at home and I definitely won’t leave it so long before venturing inside again.

Photo: jinkazamah

Partition walling can be a great way to change your home. If you have a large bedroom which you need to split then a simple stud wall may just do it. If access doors are a problem then don’t run the partition the full way across the room, it will still afford much needed privacy without major renovation to gain secondary entry from the corridor. The beds can be placed away from the gap to make the most of the division and an extra surface area becomes available for placing furniture against.

Converting the garage is another option. If you don’t use it for anything other than storing junk then have a really good clear out, and make the most of loft space for anything you need to keep. Garage doors can be replaced with windows and you can almost create a bed-sit type of environment ideal for older teenagers with a need for growing independence. Divan beds will offer some extra storage underneath and have a small frame to make the most of the space available. Even adding a small kitchen area may be possible, or why not go the whole way and put in an en suite? This space would double nicely as a guest facility too.

Photo: Gonzalo Merat

These days you don’t have to decorate in pale pink, blue or yellow you can choose from a much wider range of options. If you don’t find out the sex of the baby before they are born then it is safest to go for something which isn’t a gamble – there would be nothing worse than a baby boy in a fairy-themed room for example, Granddad would never forgive you.

There is nothing boring about neutral though: it doesn’t have to be white, if you want something in muted colours then cream, soft beiges and browns look wonderful – and are perfect if you incorporate teddy bears. Divan beds in the nursery for you to sleep on next to the crib can be piled high with stuffed animals and fake fur throws creating a cuddly place to nestle with baby whilst matching the design perfectly.

If you prefer something bolder then primary colours are supposed to be stimulating for baby and can look really gorgeous. How about a design scheme featuring multi-coloured polka dots, fresh pinstripes or a cartoon theme? Another option would be zoo or farm animals parading across the cot bedding; not ideal for double beds but perfect for a cute nursery. Matching the toys you choose to display to the theme will work well here too and this kind of look may well last until your child is a little bit older.

If you find out the sex of the baby then you can opt for something appropriate – maybe trains or cars for your little man or a princess theme for daddy’s little girl. Whichever way you decide to go it is a really exciting time and perhaps the most enjoyable decorating project you will ever complete.

Photo: mliu92

A few simple do’s and don’ts can ease the pain of leaving your little one at school or with a babysitter for the first time. “When leaving your child at school, walk them in with a smile, give them one hug, one kiss, tell them you will be back in two hours, walk away confidently and exit to the door,” says Diana Vavrik, preschool teacher and mother of 5. “If you are secure, they will feel secure in knowing that you will be back as promised and are leaving them in a safe, loving environment.”

Try just a few of the suggestions below to help make your separation go more smoothly.

DO prepare your child for separation. If possible, visit the classroom prior to the first day of school or have the babysitter stop in for a brief visit. While you are there, explain that she is going to stay school or play with the babysitter while Mommy goes and gets some work done. Be positive and excited about all the fun things to play with and do in the classroom and how much you like the school or sitter.

Get the teacher or babysitter’s name and introduce your child. Remind your child that she is going to go and play in Miss Jan’s Class or Emily is coming over to babysit for a couple days prior to your first day apart.

DON’T make it personal. Although this will make you feel like a great parent, resist the urge to make it an emotional separation by asking if she will miss you. She WILL miss you.

Don’t be offended if she says she loves school or her teacher or babysitter. That is a good thing and means you have made a great choice!

DO tell her you are leaving. Many parents are tempted to sneak out when their child isn’t looking. This will break her sense of trust and make her always worry that you could sneak away at any moment.

Make a routine of goodbyes, perhaps two hugs and two kisses for a two year old (luckily, they will outgrow this before their 12th birthday!), don’t let her rope you in to several rounds of goodbyes.

DON’T let her see you sweat
Even if you feel like you need to cry, save it for after you get out the door. If you look worried or concerned, she will be too. Smile and leave quickly and confidently, assuring her you will return shortly.

DO plan something fun to do. Although it may not seem like it on the first day, you will begin to enjoy having some time to yourself.

Plan something fun you can look forward to on the first day (coffee with a friend, reading a great novel or doing a little window shopping at the mall).

DON’T feel guilty. Separation is a good thing, for both you and your child. If you don’t get her used to the idea before she goes to elementary school, kindergarten is bound to be much more traumatic.

Call the school or sitter after 30 minutes or so if you left her in tears. Chances are good that she will become engaged in a fun activity and stop crying within a few minutes.

DO read a few good books about separation
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn (Tanglewood Press, 2006)
Will I Have a Friend? by Miriam Cohen (Start Bright Books, 2009)
I Love You all Day Long by Francesca Rusackas (Harper Collins, 2004)

Oh My Baby, Little One by Kathi Applet (sandpiper, 2006)
Will You Come Back for Me? By Ann Tompert (Albert Whitman and Co., 1998)

After spending so much time together, separating from your child is bound to be a bit difficult for both you and your child. Be positive and upbeat and you will find it to be easier than you could have thought. You are both sure to treasure your special time together even more after having a little time apart!

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About the Author
There comes a time in the life of every toddler when it’s time to leave the nest and explore the world outside of home. For many parents, this separation can be far more traumatic than it is for the child. But your visions of a crying child, holding onto your leg with the death grip, don’t have to come to fruition.

No matter where he was or who was holding him, as soon as he saw me, he suddenly cried as if he was asking me to hold him. When I came close to him, he abruptly opened his arms and looked so happy. His cry stopped in a moment. It was truly an unspoken feeling I had experienced. But there was also time when he acted differently from what I had expected. When I went for work, I thought he would cry hard to see me leaving him.

I hugged him tight and kissed his face again and again. I told him, “Baby, Mommy have to go to work now. Eat and drink a lot, okay? And have a good nap. I’ll be back. Love you much. Buy.” Sometimes he kept looking at me when I said so.

I expected him to start weeping. But it didn’t happen. I wondered why. I found out later that he was interested with the wheels of the car I traveled in everyday. Whenever the car started to run, my son always kept his eyes on the wheels.

Looking at them spinning must have been very exciting to him. I just smiled, though my heart broke a little. I soothed myself by thinking that it was good for him being curious of strange things. My son is a baby who has sleeping problem. Throughout the night during his sleep, he often woke up several times.

If he woke up and didn’t find me nearby, he would cry out loud, making the whole house panic as if something really bad happen. When I got into the bedroom, he would crawl toward me, and then I hugged him. He’d be calm afterward.

Breastfeeding really worked to put him back to sleep. Thank God I decided to breastfeed him so that I wouldn’t be engaged with the rush of preparing formula during the night. Yes, I chose to breastfeed him in night times, even though he still got formula in day times.

Maybe this breastfeeding activity had created the bond between us. I enjoyed it, and still until now. This might also what made my son didn’t want to stay away from me. If your baby or child has the same characteristic as my son has, I’m sure you have the same feeling as I do.

If you think that your baby’s cry bother you, just remember that it won’t last forever. Separation anxiety is a phase in your child’s development during his early years of life. Almost all children go through this experience. What I can suggest you is just enjoy these intimate moments before they’re gone along with your child’s growth.

From what I’ve heard from my friends about this, you’re gonna miss the moments. To me, even now, I really don’t want the phase fade away. By the way, there is one more thing I’d like to share with you, which you may not think will make your child comfortable.

I remember my friend told me that if you’re going somewhere, don’t forget to tell your child that you’ll be back. Instead of sneaking out of the house, waving your hand and saying that you’ll be back will soothe him somehow.

In the United States, many checking accounts now come equipment with standard debit cards. While debit cards are a nice tool to have, they can cause many problems for some individuals. Debit card purchases are not as easy to remember or record as traditional check writing purchases are. This is where many couples start to see discrepancies with their finances. To prevent the above mentioned situation from occurring, it is important to make sure that you and your partner are on the same page.

In fact, you may even want to take the time to establish some ground rules. These grounds rules may include not having a debit card at all or leaving it home at all times. If the debit card is used or a check is written for the joint account that you and your partner share, it is important that the person who used the account informs the other. Communication is a key to keeping your finances in check when having a joint checking account with your husband. In addition to the improper use of debit cards or check writing, when using a joint checking account, there are many couples who have problems with one or both individuals just spending more money than they have. This is often a problem with credit cards.

Credit cards, as you likely already know, are considered financial death traps, as they can cause so many problems. For that reason, if you or your husband or your partner have any credit cards, it is advised that you sit down and discuss usage with them. The best way to stay out of credit card debt is by limiting your use of them or at least your spending. If spending is occurring, it is important that your partner knows about that spending and visa versa. Since unnecessary spending is a problem for many couples in America, you may want to take the time to create a budget for your household.

When doing this budget, it is important that you and your partner create the budget together. This is how you two can both stay on the same page, with your finances. A budget can account for all of the money that you and your partner have coming in, as well as all of the money that needs to be spent, like on rent, gasoline, or car insurance. This can give you an idea of exactly how much extra you and your partner have to spend each month or even how much you don’t have to spend.

As a reminder, be sure to create your budget with your husband or your partner. If you are married, you may find yourself having a little bit more trouble with the money issues between you and your husband. What many individuals do not realize is that when they are married their financial mistakes also become the financial mistakes of their spouse. This is what leaves many women, and sometimes even men, having a difficult time getting back on their feet after a divorce.

It is not uncommon for many divorced couples to declare bankruptcy after terminating their relationship. To help prevent your marriage or your partnership from this trouble, you will want to keep all of the above mentioned points in mind. Staying on the same page, when it comes to your finances, is the key to financial reassurance and possibly a happy healthy relationship with your husband or partner. Learning how to budget together, as a family, as well as properly use all bank accounts and credit cards is the best way to stay all on the same page.