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things way tidily after they finish their play. A height chart would make a great addition for younger children and this can be drawn onto card and mounted on a wall, where you can record the changes as the child grows. They may not want this for ever, though they would get great pleasure keeping this as a keepsake of their childhood later in their lives.

Letting the child feel part of the process.

This is important for any child above toddler age. Let them help you to sort the room, let them help you to get it ready for decorating, and although they may not be that talented at painting, remember that they are part of the process, and that they can be useful in sorting the room out ready to take their new decorations. Let them help you pack things, and paint odd little items like pictures. This can be done elsewhere in the house while you do the painting.

The painting process when you have children is better dealt with while the child is at school, and if you can arrange to paint ceiling and walls while they are out, this will help the project immensely. Pay particular attention to oil paints used for woodwork, since this takes a long time to dry and kids are not that patient.

Putting the room back together again.

This is a fun process and the best joy for the child. When the paintwork is dry and the wallpapering finished, let them help you decide where things go. Their eyes will light up as little additions are brought into the room, the furniture put in place, and their little touches added to the room. Buy cheap frames for their artwork, and let them decorate the frames to match the overall dominant color of the room, and also be aware that when you hang those pictures, they will want to see them going up on the wall. It's their pride and joy, and the finishing touches are really the best time for child involvement. They will be excited to see a play area, a desk area, the extra little bits and pieces like quilt covers with their favorite super hero, or hanging up those model planes from the ceiling.

By sharing the whole task of design with the child, your project stands a much better chance of success and will become sweet memories for the child who you permitted to help shape the room that will be their haven for the period of growing up, and that really counts for something. Let their memories be of helping, sharing, and learning how to do things that they will in turn pass on to their kids.

Learn more about this author, Rachelle de Bretagne.
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