Karla, mom to 3's Profile

Thanks Adrienne!!! I never would have known that and I do put little votives in my bookshelves, especially near the holidays! I've seen the backs of white shelves in magazines painted pink or gray, and wanted to try it, but didn't want a permanent "mistake." Maybe I'll try some of that craft paper from scrapbooking stores and poster putty.

As far as crib bumpers, these warnings come and go. Crib bumpers began as a way to protect the baby from getting chubby arms or legs stuck between posts. When I was a nanny, babies were supposed to be put to sleep on their tummies. then, when I had my first child, we all had these foam triangular pads to force them to sleep on their sides (all this to avoid SIDS), 4 years later, I was directed to lay my daughter on her back to avoid SIDS. I don't remember how my 3rd slept. I did just read an article about how SIDS is not nearly as common as previously thought, since much of the research was done on a family whose 11 SIDS babies had actually been smothered by a mentally ill mother and "studied," by a doctor with the desire to prove that SIDS was hereditary. All the baby advice that comes and goes is no substitute for a mother's instinct. I love the room, too!

I LOVE it!

Okay, I didn't know what faux-bois wallpaper was. Honestly, I think it would be better to skip the cabin theme if you are going to keep the linoleum, which you Should! Paint the walls a color that is mostly white with just a hint of the blue in the floor. Use frames, book shelves and table/chairs in colors like the "e" on the dresser, or brighter. Previously, I didn't understand that the bedding you had sewn was in the photo, because for me, it doesn't work with the floor. Buy a Wal-mart ($20.00) double-bed size comforter that hangs over the sides of the bed,(don't mess w/ bedskirt) in a solid, bright color like the rug and other accessories, either reddish orange or true red. People have mentioned a white rug. I've tried that in a boy's room and can't recommend it. You'll have another chance to use the bedding you made! Time to switch directions and run with the treasure you found under the carpet!

Hi, I am the one who said, "dogs will pee." I didn't mean on linoleum specifically. I have always had at least one dog, and they do, on occasion, pee or vomit. I prefer to have no carpets, because they think they are doing me a favor by having an accident on carpet, which to them must seem like grass, as it soaks in. they are all good dogs; over the years, they have an accident here or there. I have a sensitive nose. I like solid floors. Come on, guys! Relax. I also live in the deep South, where most houses have some rooms hardwood and still have most bedrooms wall to wall carpet. Really. I'm not lying on Ohdeedoh!

Adorable! I love the large cushions on the floor and the Indian accents! she looks as happy on her camel as any little girl ever looked on a rocking horse! I'm inspired to add more Indian style to my daughter's room!

Have 3 kids. Oldest 18. I've learned plastic jars, like peanut butter, some instant coffee, etc. are best. Shards of broken glass aren't worth it. I love the look of the animals, but even gorilla glue won't keep them attached if anyone uses them as, "handles." If you keep everything "up," and handle it all yourself, you could do this, but if the kids have any contact with these, as much as I love the look, the animals will come right off. Glass jars are for teens, and even then, plastic jars prevent accidents. I do love the look. Let's think of other places we can glue plastic animals! I have been hot-glueing them to magnets for the cookie tray-magnet boards my youngest makes. She either spray-paints or uses craft-paper to decorate $ store trays. Any other plastic animal ideas?

Elaine,
It's getting crazy out there, huh? I have a 17 yr. old, 14 yr. old, and 10 yr. old, and we have been through 4 schools. The peanut thing is what it is. I gather you chose a Jewish school, that you agree with the dairy kosher requirement? If it's just a good school and you don't keep dairy kosher, ask the other mothers for ideas. My problem is that the items you listed as choking hazards are really for toddlers. By age 5, kids can easily eat all of those things. Ask your pediatrician! Her kids are eating all of those things at age 5. None of our schools have ever heated lunches for us, so I started with asking my kids what they liked: meat sandwiches w/ lettuce or tomato, NO MAYO, cooked, cold small broccoli trees and ranch dip, or even ketchup, same for all veggies. If they are cold, the kids will be more likely to eat them if they've been cooked the night before (for dinner?) and dried so the don't seem mushy. Apple slices, pineapple slices, all kinds of fruit and caramel dip to make them eat 4x as much of it. Cut turkey coldcuts (let him choose honey roasted, plain, etc.) into 1" long pieces, roll them up, and slide a fancy toothpick through the middle. What odd and school-legal things does he happen to like? Some kids like a little pesto. The bigger it looks, the less likely he'll eat it. Lots of small things will be eaten mindlessly. Good Luck, and remember, not every "good school," is a match for you! Remember that the teachers are working for you, providing you with a service for which you are paying. We suffered at one school that treated parents with very little respect. Regardless of what is convenient for teacher, (and I was one; they are just people!) You have the right to INSIST that he return home with all his uneaten food in his lunch box. One of my children was throwing away nearly everything, and I didn't know! I thought she had eaten everything that I worked so hard to make nutritious and interesting for her. Insist on what is important to you. Enjoy Being Your Son's Mom! -Karla