I haven’t talked much about it, because I’ve been terrified that things will fall through, but… We seem to be on track for a (local) move the first week of April. Jeff and I love the new house, the new neighborhood, the new yard, the new school, the new everything and are anxious to get settled. The kids? Not so much.
As part of the bribery tool to help make the transition smoother for the them, we’ve built up the new rooms they’ll be moving into. New wall colors! New blankets! New clocks! New curtains! New, new, new! Exciting, right? I certainly think so.
Now, I thought it went without saying that I, as their mother, would be the one responsible for said rooms. Sure, I’d work with their passions (dinosaurs for the boys and sweet little illustrations for Lily,) but this was my project. I’d get to pick out the bedding and decide on the wall art for them. I’d choose ballet slipper over hot pink for Lily’s walls. I’d decide that timeless Tyrannosaurus Rex was a far better choice than the trendy Transformer quilt. Me, me, me. For them, of course.
My husband, on the other hand, seemed to have some other ideas. He had the nerve to whip out the paint chips last night and steer the kids the direction he envisioned. At IKEA last weekend? He had the gall to encourage a brightly colored quilt for Ben that totally clashed with the well thought out color scheme I had decided on. The nerve!
The decor of my children’s rooms simply is not debatable. It’s fun for me and I’m good at it. That makes it my job. And, the fun filled process helps balance out the fact that I’m the default laundry do-er, lunch maker, puke and poop cleaner-upper and middle of the night go-to parent. That’s only fair, right? Should my husband decide to take any of those off my plate, I’m willing to let him choose the pillow shams.
But I still get veto power.
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It burns me up everytime the hubs tries to make a decorating decision. YES, it may be OUR house — but unless he starts doing something other than taking out the trash, he gets zero input. ‘Cause seriously, if he had it his way, there’d be a giant fish over the fireplace & a football shrine in the dining room.
.-= Sara — The Football Wife´s last blog ..The FW Explains It All… =-.
Totally with you on this one sista!! I have given my man a little more power since I am working outside the home, but back in the day when I was home it was my rules, my way…. sucka!!
Sadie at heyMamas
.-= Sadie at heyMamas´s last blog ..Steps away =-.
Ooooh…my hubby wouldn’t dare! On the other hand, my 17-year-old would. All the world’s a stage, everyone wants a part…right?
.-= KellieS´s last blog ..Happy Anniversary Women’s Life Link! =-.
Hi there,
Just finding your blog and happy about it! I am always psyched to discover fellow mama bloggers who make it work in an admirable way, bringing in cash money, for their family.
I am just starting to get a little bigger with ad sales/sponsorships and all that and, wow, there is a lot to think about. Thanks for being so open with your practices and knowledge.
Warmly, Nici
Also wanted to mention that I became a fan of your facebook page…you can find me there too. Look forward to reading more from you!
.-= dig this chick´s last blog ..happiness is… =-.
We moved out of state and are renting until our house sells. However, I try the guided approach to room decor, how much depends on the age. With the little guys, I’m going to do their room in the color they had before – a Martha Stewart blue and a dirty color. Then I’m going to make signs that spell their names in Ship Flag Symbols. I’m wanting to use Pottery Barn Red and White valences. However, the teenagers need more input with color choices. However, they do need to be guided and veto power on both sides included. For example, one wants an industrial look with WWII Airforce Artwork (his grandfather was an Ace fighter pilot). I miss the days when I had total control. It takes a lot of unconditional love to share that power. However, it makes for an independence with training wheels kind of event.
Enjoy the power while you have the opportunity!
.-= maryleigh´s last blog ..Divine Re-Design on My Heart =-.
I just discovered your blog. Your writing is brilliant. You managed to infuse a short domestic anecdote with issues like gender politics and parental control, alongside lots of humor and excitement about the future. A rare feat.
I think you hit the nail on the spot. Decorating is a treat well-deserved after all the domestic drudgery. Whoever does most of the domestic work is the one who gets to call the decorating shots, in my book. Or whoever cares the most. Usually it’s the wife, and I know that in my case, I care A LOT. My husband provides valuable input, but no more.
That said…..I think the kids do deserve some control over their rooms. Especially as they grow older. But you seem to realize that already, by expertly channeling their passions into what you want. Hey, isn’t that what motherhood’s all about?
.-= Shira at Double Drudgery´s last blog ..Shabbat Shalom =-.
oh, AMEN, girl. Their only duty/right is to pay for the stuff and oooh and aaah over our impeccable taste ;-)
.-= Elisa´s last blog ..Preparing for summer… though baby, it’s cold outside =-.
I’m surprised he even gave it a thought…decorating usually falls to mom! It did in our house. Make good use of the Veto Power! :)
All kids room planning totally defaults to you, the mother, unless you
A) give over some planning to another party (Let the kids pick a theme, color, etc)
B) Ask for input (as in Should I use Sage green or Celery, dear?)
C) Are unable to do anything (Talk, Move, See, Hear, etc)
My DH has yet to think he had/has any say in how our entire house is decorated. The shed — well that’s man territory so he got to do with it what he wanted. And I’m sure it will look great in ten years when its finally finished.
You will share pictures when they are complete, right?
.-= Kris´s last blog ..It’s an exciting day! =-.
My kids, 7 and 5, chose their colors – so primary red and blue with a green stripe and MAX in giant letters on his wall – and hot pink and purple – Barney dinosaur purple – no lavender for my girl! And this weekend – a trip to pick out accessories. . . kids in tow.
Hubby spilt paint on his first attempt to “help” – he was banned. Kids helped for about half an hour in each room and then I painted in peace. I love a project from start to finish – that rarely happens in my world!!
You go girl! You’ve earned the right to have decorating power and may your journey be a fun one. Hold on to the reins and relinquish power to the hubby only on your terms!
.-= Tina @ Ride On Toys´s last blog ..The Radio Flyer Horse – Hi-Yo Silver, Away! =-.
I could use some lessons on how you got the almighty veto power! My husband has decided he is now going to be in charge of “our” flower beds this year. Enter, the almighty veto power. Loved you post!
Hello All,
I am new to this site and am new to being a mommy- well, actually I am not a mommy yet but I am 5 months pregnant, so I will be very soon! I can totally relate to these decorating issue with hubbies. My hubbie has quesitonable taste but thinks he has wonderful taste and is extremely opionated! We are just now facing this problem because we are moving into a new larger apartment due to our baby’s upcoming arrival and I have been thinking of how to decorate the new place. It’s the first time my husband has heard such definite opinions from me on this subject because when I moved into his batchelor pad condo a couple of years ago, I did not bother to try and redecorate since I knew we would be moving as soon as we had a baby. But now that we are moving to a new place and I really care about the decor, I can see I am in for some trouble with hubbie. He has about a 100 (literally) hideous items he is attched to for sentimental reasons that he refuses to not have in plain site! It’s the first time in the almost 2 years we’ve been married that I strated thinking about the good old days when I was single because at least then I could decorate my apartment as I pleased…. Needless to say, I am desperately in need advise on how to handle this!
Put all of his things in one box and “lose” it during the move. :)
That is not a bad idea! :)
Your husband probably just wants to control the costs of the room, and get it done fast. That is what I see with a lot of husbands. Mine is the same way. Its less about what the husband, you or the kids want, and more about how much money and time it is costing them.
coloring book pages,
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