Ask any little girl under eight about her favorite color, and you’re likely to hear “Pink!” with all the enthusiasm a child can muster. Before my daughter, Mia, came into my life, I never realized how many variations of pink existed. It seems to envelop their universe, almost too vibrant to handle at times. Yet, for reasons that could stretch back to our early days of hunting and gathering, little girls are irresistibly drawn to it.
I never set out to raise Mia as a pink-obsessed fashionista with bags and tutus, glittery nail polish, and scented body dust. But here we are: today, like most days, she’s decked out in pink butterfly-embellished pants, a floral shirt, and pink sandals adorned with beads from her overly indulgent grandmother. Despite a rainbow of options in her closet, trying to coax her into other colors usually results in a promise that tomorrow will be different. So, it was no shock when I decided to redecorate her apple-green room (formerly the office) that she immediately insisted on pink.
“How about we paint your walls a fun coral?” I suggested, attempting some adult persuasion.
“I want pink!” she declared, her patience waning.
“Alright, let’s consider… a bright peach?” I added a little shimmy of my shoulders, hoping to conjure images of tropical beaches and dancing figures.
“PINK!” she reiterated.
Tip 1:
When planning your child’s bedroom makeover, make it a surprise. Start while they’re occupied at preschool, Grandma’s, or on playdates. It gives you a head start and, honestly, kids are likely to adore their revamped space, no matter how old their toys are.
As we headed to the paint store, Mia declared, “I want my room to be The Enchanted Garden.” Her enthusiasm suggested she had been thinking about this for a while.
Her older brother, Jake, chimed in, “Do you want faeries in there, Mia?”
“Yeah, faeries and butterflies!” she exclaimed.
“What about a rainbow?” he added.
“Yes, and a rainbow!” She paused before adding, “And a unicorn.”
“Anything else?” Jake nudged her excitement further.
I felt the situation slipping from my grasp. “I can manage faeries, but a unicorn might be a bit much,” I replied.
Fortuitously, Mia is as agreeable as she is imaginative, but Jake was now thoroughly invested in the fun. “I want a giant spider on my ceiling!” he said, his purple walls adorned with rocket ships and glow-in-the-dark stars—none of which I planned to change until he reached middle school and stopped being concerned about peer opinions. Suddenly, a handful of faeries didn’t seem so daunting.
“Mom, can you paint a praying mantis?” Jake added.
As for that pink spectrum, it’s vast: there are vivid pinks, soft pinks, blush, peachy, Dusty Rose, and even whimsical names like Magic Moments and Bubblegum. I picked up three sample jars, hoping to narrow down our options.
Tip 2:
Always start with paint samples. Colors appear quite different on walls than they do on those little paper swatches under harsh store lights. This will save you from the heartache of living with an unfortunate color for years.
While the patches dried, Mia bounced in to inspect. “Not that much pink! I want the whole wall pink!” she insisted.
I tried to explain my method, wanting her to see how the shades change with light. Sometimes I wonder what she thinks of my decision-making skills.
My husband, the minimalist, suggested we keep it subtle to avoid overwhelming the room, especially combined with her pink paisley rug and polka-dot bedding. So, upon returning to the paint store for round two, Mia zeroed in on a sample charmingly named Easter Bunny.
Tip 3:
Avoid taking your child to the paint store. The overwhelming array of choices can lead to chaos, and kids are naturally attracted to the most garish options.
“Oh look, Mia,” I presented a much lighter shade.
She waved Easter Bunny in my face. “This one!”
“But, Mia, this is Easter Bonnet—almost the same name!” I argued.
“What’s a bonnet?” Jake asked curiously.
While they spun in one of the store’s swivel chairs, I took advantage of Mia’s inability to read, returned Easter Bunny to its rightful place, and snuck a sample of Pink Peony instead. However, Pink Peony turned out to be too subtle, like an awkwardly shy relative at a family reunion.
Three trips to the paint store later, we finally settled on Ballerina—a gentle pink that was sweet without being sickly.
“But where are the faeries?” Mia asked as her new walls dried.
“Flying,” I assured her, as fast as the mail can deliver them. I knew when they arrived, they would find Mia’s Enchanted Garden a delightful place to call home—until, of course, her attention turned to turquoise and horses.
In summary, the journey of decorating Mia’s room was not just a tale of color choices but also an exploration of childhood imagination, reminding us to embrace the whims of our little ones. For more insights into parenting and helpful resources, check out Make A Mom and Healthline.
Keyphrase: Pink Room Makeover
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