July 21, 2021

Let's Talk About Bedrooms!

Through the past thirty years, Steve and I have lived in several different houses with various children in each one at different times. Today, social media is filled with images of elaborate nurseries and bedrooms, and I am so thankful I did not have that kind of pressure on me back when my babies were born! I remember ordering a cute little set from the J.C. Penney catalog for Madison, adding a rocking chair, and knowing it was perfect. 

I always felt it important that our children's rooms reflect who each of them is. I let each of them choose the color and theme, within reason, for their bedrooms. The fluorescent green stage of Rhett's room is proof of that! And I never forgot that bedrooms were just that. Rooms with beds in them. If they are not picture-perfect, who cares?? As long as each of my kids was happy and cozy, I was happy. I remember a time years ago when no one in my family was sleeping in their own room except me!

Flynn was little and had been very sick. She was sleeping with me because she was waking in the night coughing very badly. Steve slept downstairs on the couch, and Rhett slept down there with him. They watched tv together and fell asleep with the television still on most nights. Madison had her own room, but she didn't sleep there. She preferred sleeping in Peyton's room with her because Peyton had twin beds, and they liked to stay awake talking and laughing. Sometimes Rhett would sleep on the floor in our room. Sometimes Flynn would. At one point, Steve and I had a dresser and a crib in our room for Flynn, and I wouldn't have had it any other way!

What is my point here? As always, I encourage young mothers to do what works for you! Look at all the elaborate and fancy nurseries and bedrooms out there, and then choose what you and your child like. Think about more than the aesthetic. Remember your child will be playing in that room. Toys and books need a spot. Favorite characters like SpongeBob and Barbie will be in there too. Someday you may need to squeeze another bed in there. So relax. And do you.

Peyton recently moved into her sweet home with her new husband Chris, and that left a small extra bedroom here. I have not had an extra bedroom for a long time, and it made me sad! So, I decided to make it a happy place and put a few things we had together with some new sheets and cute signs to make a guest room for friends and relatives who come and spend time with us. What is happier than Mickey Mouse???







What about you?
What are your thoughts on bedrooms?
Have a cozy afternoon, my friends.
Thanks for visiting!

Billie Jo

22 comments:

  1. This brings back sweet memories. I wanted my children's bedrooms to be cute and special. I made all their bed coverings beyond sheets because I could afford to buy nothing other than sheets. His were primary colors and hers was pink. I sometimes refashioned sheets for curtains. It was a fun and sweet time in life.

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  2. I am like you. My kids bedrooms are a reflection of them.if it makes them happy then I am happy. Same with our master bedroom. If it makes us happy that is all that matters. Your new guest room is so cute. Hope you have a good rest of the week!

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  3. So in agreeance, smiles. My son has 2 spaces (a big walk in closet that he made into a "man cave")--we always encouraged his own space and design...anyways, when he was a baby all those years ago, we didn't have anything fancy etc. He refused to sleep in a crib (often slept in his bouncy chair), so by age 1 he was in a double bed. ANYWAYS, I love your extra room, something we do not have, well...if you count the small area off the sitting room which is my "office"...but still, not ready for guests, grin.

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  4. I love the Disney Theme you chose for your new guest room. Our bedrooms have always been pretty basic - not fancy. As long as there is a comfy bed and a place for clothing and other stuff - that is the most important. Our kids also kept their books, pets (guinea pig, snakes, lizard - all in cages) in their rooms. It was their (the kid's) special place. Great post. Enjoy the rest of the week.

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  5. I agree.. while my youngest wasn't born when we painted his room when it was time to get a new bed we let him choose. My eldest picked his own paint colors and his own bed. I am firm on them keeping their rooms clean but decor is completely up to them.

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  6. What a cute idea! Now see, I would never have thought about just going with a theme. My house is such a mish mosh of things. Your spare room is simple but cozy and adorable! Now I want to re-do ours. :)

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  7. Through the years we've had all different combinations of kids share bedrooms. The baby would stay in our room until right before the next one was born, so we had a perpetual room with a crib for those who outgrew our room, then they would go into the next room, where the 2+ year olds were, usually 4 kids in that room, at one time five (2 bunkbeds and a toddler bed). I did let them choose their own paint, and paint their own rooms. One of the boys insisted on black paint, we compromised on dark brown, it was awful, but he loved it. I do like that cheery extra room you have, so fun!!!!

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  8. So fun! I love it - anyone would beg to stay there!
    Sometimes before we go on a vacation I wish we had an extra room so I could lay out all of our clothes to pack!
    I love that my girls bedrooms were the same since they were little - they never wanted to "teen" them up - it makes me happy that Anna's room still has the Disney castle painted on it that my Dad did and Abigail's room has the Peter Rabbit that my Dad painted. We worked around it... and still love it! I am so glad you found a way to make that 'empty' room feel happy after Peyton left.

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  9. A lovely space that made me smile. Back in the day we had very little money and made the girls bedrooms beautiful with handcrafted things which they have treasured. Made with love...perfect!

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  10. I see the New Blogger Header *Thing* has come to your blog too. I do like how you have been able to make your Header~Name~of~Blog, in very large print, and the color matching the background.

    I am still stubborn, though. I still want to manage to put a Picture, in my Header! -gigggles- And simply have my blog name, under the Header pic.

    As with everything, do not mindlessly follow trends. Do everything, as you yourself chooses. No one else can know, what makes you happy and fits your life. -smile-

    πŸŒΌπŸ‘πŸ’›πŸ‘πŸŒΌ

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  11. We lived in rented places a few times. Bought a single wide mobile home years ago in one state. Hung nice curtains. In double wide manufactured house I made curtains for our 2 children. Still living here with our adult daughter. Yes always fun places to play in bedroom. None of them have been painted. Yet.

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  12. I loved the simpler times when my kids were little. I didn't care as much what the room looked like, as far as trendy as long as it was comfortable and clean. In fact, in the 70's, trendy wasn't really a thing! I think the style was more whatever you wanted it to be. I do love having a spare bedroom, and yes, I decorate it they way I want it, it may not be trendy, but it's comfy and clean, just waiting for a little grand to stay overnight. Love the Micky Mouse theme, who doesn't love Micky?!

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  13. I think you are spot on with your thinking here. I loved it so much when Annie was obsessed with France and had a french themed "big girl" room. I find myself thinking these things now that Aaron has moved out. I'm still trying to decide what I want to do in there. I love your disney themed spare room. What a fun idea! And it turned out beautifully. Who wouldn't have fun staying there. And perfect if one day you need a spot for grandkids to stay over πŸ˜‰ Blessings dear Friend. xo

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  14. John's room has changed over the years. We've always let him decide how he wants his space. It never mattered to me as long as he was happy! I can attest that your spare room is cozy and lovely and a happy place that I didn't want to leave!! Who wouldn't love a Disney room?!?!? It's the happiest place on Earth! :)

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  15. aaahhh, that is the cutest theme for a guest bedroom. I love it all! - the blanket, the pillow, and especially the pictures on the wall. I chuckled when you were talking about kids and bedrooms, because my family was the same way.....and still are! We put three families in one small cozy mountain home when they visited and made it work. Rhett's fluorescent green room sounds cool. Your grey headboard is so nice. I've been wanting to get one just like it, only in a cream color. Oh, such a happy bedroom. You really did a nice job, Billie Jo. It's simple and sweet.

    ~Sheri

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  16. I LOVE the Mickey bedroom! So cute and simple.

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  17. I'm with you- no Pinterest rooms in our house! :) I think it'll be like that with college too- I cannot imagine my child wanting anything elaborate, and I'll think for a second that I'm not doing enough- I'm not the "cool mom" who makes her daughter's dorm look nicer than my own home now!!! But then I'll remember to stop comparing and go with what makes my child happy! It's ENOUGH! :)

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  18. I'm with you- no Pinterest rooms in our house! :) I think it'll be like that with college too- I cannot imagine my child wanting anything elaborate, and I'll think for a second that I'm not doing enough- I'm not the "cool mom" who makes her daughter's dorm look nicer than my own home now!!! But then I'll remember to stop comparing and go with what makes my child happy! It's ENOUGH! :)

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Thanks so much for saying hello!

Billie Jo