When it comes to little girls under eight, pink is often the color of choice. Before my daughter’s arrival, I had no idea about the vast spectrum of pinks that would soon invade our lives. It’s a hue that colors their world in ways that can leave parents both amused and bewildered.
I never intended for Sophie to become a quintessential girly-girl, adorned in tutus and sparkly accessories. Yet, here we are, with her favorite outfit being a pair of pink leggings with butterfly embellishments, a delightful floral top, and glittery sandals gifted by an overly indulgent grandmother. Despite a closet full of options, Sophie seems to have an unwavering devotion to pink, promising to wear other colors “tomorrow” every time I suggest them.
So, when the time came to redecorate Sophie’s room, which was still a vibrant green from its previous life as an office, it was no surprise that she insisted on a pink makeover.
“How about an exciting orange?” I proposed, using that overly cheerful tone often reserved for children.
“I want pink,” she declared, her patience wearing thin as I attempted to steer her toward a more adventurous color scheme.
“Okay, how about… Tangerine?” I added, doing a little shimmy in hopes of igniting her imagination with images of dancing women in tropical settings. But her resolve was firm.
“PINK!”
Tip One:
When decorating your child’s room, do it as a surprise while they’re at preschool or a friend’s house. This way, you can make significant progress without interruptions. They’ll likely adore the new look, as even old toys feel fresh against a newly painted backdrop.
As we drove to the paint store, Sophie announced, “I want my room to be The Enchanted Garden.” The conviction in her voice indicated she had given it a lot of thought.
Her older brother, Leo, chimed in, “Do you want faeries in there, Sophie?”
“Yes! Faeries and butterflies!”
“What about a rainbow?” he asked, excitement bubbling over.
“Absolutely, and a unicorn too!” she replied, pausing to think.
I felt my control slipping away, “I can do faeries, but a unicorn might be a stretch.”
Fortunately, Sophie is just as flexible as she is creative, but Leo was now swept up in the whimsy.
“I want a giant spider on my ceiling,” he declared, his purple rocket ship walls already a testament to his adventurous tastes. I began brainstorming how to merge the realms of outer space and insects in a way that wouldn’t terrify a five-year-old.
“Mom, can you do a praying mantis?” he asked eagerly.
As I was saying—pink—the options are nearly infinite. From hot pinks and pale pinks to whimsical names like Dusty Rose and Cotton Candy, I chose several samples to help narrow it down.
Tip Two:
Avoid taking your child to the paint store. The multitude of choices can overwhelm them, leading to whimsical yet impractical selections.
As the paint samples dried on the wall, Sophie bounced in to check my work. “Not that much pink! I want the whole wall to be pink!”
I attempted to explain my reasoning, but I often wonder what goes through her mind while I’m trying to be practical.
My partner, the minimalist, suggested a more subdued approach to balance the vibrant pink paisley rug and polka-dot bedspread. So, when we returned to the paint store for round two, Sophie immediately fixated on a sample named Easter Bunny.
“Look, Sophie,” I said, holding up a much lighter shade.
She thrust the Easter Bunny sample at me. “This one!”
“But this one is called Easter Bonnet,” I pointed out.
“What’s a bonnet?” Leo interjected, curious.
As the siblings spun in store chairs, I seized the opportunity that Sophie couldn’t read. I discreetly returned the Easter Bunny sample and purchased a sample of Pink Peony instead. However, Pink Peony was far too subtle, resembling an embarrassed vanilla trying to fit in among its vibrant pink relatives.
Tip Three:
Always begin with paint samples. The colors on display do not always translate well to your walls. This can save you from the headache of living with an unfortunate color choice for years.
After three trips to the paint store and multiple sample jars, we finally settled on Ballerina—a soft yet lively pink.
“But where are the faeries?” Sophie wondered as her new walls dried.
“Flying,” I replied, imagining them arriving with glee to her Magical Garden. And surely, they’ll find it just as enchanting as she does—at least until her attention shifts to turquoise and horses.
For more insights on home insemination, check out one of our other blog posts discussing challenges and solutions in parenting.
In summary, decorating your child’s room can turn into an adventure filled with color, creativity, and a touch of chaos. With some planning, you can create a magical space that reflects your child’s imagination while keeping your sanity intact.