How to prepare your children for Halloween

Halloween is quickly creeping up on us and for some children it can be a really scary time. Whilst many relish in getting dressed up and going round knocking on doors to see what sweets they can get by the end of the night, for others it can be an incredibly fearful night, particularly if they are young and do not understand what is going on. However, there are certain things that you can do in order to help them to prepare for Halloween, including what to expect, and also how to make them feel more comfortable about the night itself.

You will probably spot the signs beforehand that your child is likely to be scared on and around Halloween. If they are prone to checking underneath the bed for monsters, or do not like sleeping in their own beds, it will be likely that they will not like the costumes that they will inevitably see around October 31^st. Know your child, and try and spot the signs early, so you can prepare them.

When a child is scared of something it can make them incredibly stressed, which in turn will unearth a load of other issues. You may feel at times that you are going round in circles, but it is so important to ensure that you are patient with them. Remember that it won’t last forever, but do not focus on this alone. Do not tell them that they will grow out of it in time and openly dismiss their fears. It is important to be patient with them. For whatever reason they have these fears, try and get to the bottom of why they are feeling like they are. It might seem like an irrational silly fear when you’re an adult, but for a young child, it can completely engulf them. However frustrating it is at the time, you must be patient and appreciate that your child has feelings, and not to dismiss them. Trying to minimise them will only make them worse. You need to be respectful of their feelings, and work on helping the deal with the issue, rather than placing the focus on them ‘getting over it’. 

Instead of focusing on all the scary costumes, try and focus on the fun element. In the run up to Halloween, buy a few different books that make Halloween fun rather than frightening. Find out specifically what it is that is scaring them. It they are scared of the dark, try reading them a story in bed using only a torch as light. You could also consider buying a nightlight, or glow in the dark toys that they can take with them if they went trick or treating. If they are scared of the monster costumes that they will see at Halloween, or get scared going into their room overnight because they are scared of a monster; get them to draw the monster with a funny face. Or, act how different hand puppet shows where your child defeats the monster driving it out of their room. If you try and address and beat all of their demons inside, when it gets to Halloween they are likely to be a lot more relaxed.

Listen to what they want to do and try to find out what works for them. If it is just Halloween that your child is scared of, work at their own pace. Do not force them to dress up in an outfit that they find scary because you want them too. If it is the dark, why not go out earlier when it is lighter? This way they can still experience trick or treating without feeling uneasy or unnecessary scared. It could also help if you have children who are scared of all the costumes that you find at Halloween, as it is likely to be quieter the earlier you go out, and they will see fewer people dressed up in scary outfits. 

If you have other children who like to celebrate Halloween, try and make it as fun as possible whilst you are at home. Get all of your children together and make different decorations that will not scare your children. The last thing you want is for your children to feel scared in their own home. There are many different whimsical ideas that you can do that will make the holiday fun for them rather than making your home a scary place for them to be in. Let them decide their own costumes, or get them to dress up in different clothes that they have at home. This does not have to be Halloween related. If they want to dress up as a fairy, then let them. They are still joining in and having fun; but in such a way that will not be scary for them. Alternatively, you could try creating a costume that matches their interests. Regardless of what others think of the costume, the important thing is that your child feels comfortable in how they have dressed up. 

Finally, do not force your child to go trick or treating if they do not want to. There are plenty of different activities that you can do in your home that will be just as fun and entertaining, such as a Halloween picnic, or games, or even a Halloween trick or treat hunt in your own back garden. If they do not want to go up to other people’s houses do not force them. If they are showing an element of interest, but are quite timid, start off by visiting the houses in your own street, and make sure that you go up to the door with them. Once they have got used to that, you can try staying a few steps behind them, until they get used to and then just get further and further away until they are visiting the doors by themselves. Also, if you live in a street that has many children, get them all together to go trick or treating. Not only is it safer, but it also allows those who are a little nervous to relax and observe before they build up their confidence.

Halloween should be a fun exciting time, and a time for children to get dressed up and involved in the festivities. If your child is a little anxious, make sure you determine the cause before the holiday, and prepare them in the best way you can to make them feel at ease when the time comes.

10 ways to make your child’s bedroom fit for a Princess

If you have a little girl who loves all things fairy tale, Disney and wants a room fit for a Princess, it is easier than you think. A few simple changes to their existing room can create their very own royal kingdom. Follow our 10 tips and hints to start creating your child’s room into their fairy tale dream.

    1)    Involve them in the planning

Bear with me on this one. Whilst this might sound like some parent’s idea of a nightmare, involving them in the planning will make them feel like they are creating the room they really want. We are not suggesting letting them loose with tins of paint and paintbrushes, but get them to tell you exactly what they want in their fairy tale room, and then turn these ideas into feasible designs.

     2)    Make a picture board

Creating a picture board will make them feel like their room is their own personal place that they can go to. Get them to fill it with pictures of their favourite princess’s and Disney characters. The joy of having a picture board means that it can easily be updated as the child grows up as all you will need to do is change the pictures to something more fitting to their age.

     3)    Fit a curtain around the head of their bed

Fit a sheer, floor length curtain to the ceiling around the head of their bed. These are available to buy ready-made, or you can get creative and make your own. Having a curtain allows them to feel like a Princess crawling into bed each night, and it adds a touch of luxury for them without breaking the bank. It is a very simple, but effective addition to a little girl’s room.

 

     4)    Transform old furniture

Instead of buying new furniture for their room, why not just transform the furniture that they have. White furniture will fit in very well with a fairy tale and Princess design, and this can easily be achieved with furniture paint. If your children have wooden furniture, simply sand this down, before repainting in your chosen colour. You will be amazed at the difference it makes, and your children will think they have got brand new furniture.

     5)    Add some wall stickers

You can easily turn their room into a castle, by adding some Princess wall stickers. These are effective, as they are inexpensive and temporary, yet, at the same time, they can make a huge difference. Involve your child when choosing where they should go, and try and turn it into a fun activity. The stickers can be removed when your child is too old to have a Princess themed room, and the existing paint will revealed again.

     6)    Create a wall mural

This one is a lot more permanent and costly than the others; however, it is extremely impressive and effective. If you feel that your artistic skills are up to it, you can reduce the cost and create your own castle or Disney backdrop. However; if not, you can hire professionals who can come in and create one. This one will be a guaranteed winner with any child, and will really make them feel like they are stepping into their very own fairy tale every night.

  

     7)    Add a toy chest

This has several advantages. It is extra storage space, which can then be used for other items when they get older, as well as encouraging your children to keep their room free of clutter by tidying up after themselves. Not only this, but it really will add a touch of luxury to their room, and make them feel like they have their very own treasure chest. Again, these can be fairly inexpensive, and can be re-painted to fit in with the desired theme.

     8)    Create a vanity station

Every Princess needs a vanity station, where they can make themselves look beautiful for their Prince. Creating a vanity area in your little girl’s room, with a mirror, and room to keep their jewellery box for example will fulfil all of their dreams and make them feel like a true Princess. This is better suited to larger rooms with a lot of free floor space; otherwise you can end up making their room look cluttered.

     9)    Make a personalised name plate

Get your child to help you make a Princess themed name plate for their bedroom door. There are all sorts of different shapes that you can make, but to make them feel like a true princess, a crown template is very effective. Getting your child to help will turn it into a fun, creative activity for them and it will make them feel proud if they see it on their door every day.

     10)                       Add a mirror

This doesn’t have to be a large, full length mirror, but a mirror will make the room feel bigger, and more like a Princess’s room. Many shops will actually provide mirrors that have been specifically designed for little girl’s room and come in the shape of a castle or a crown which are incredibly effective. It is little touches like this that will really make a difference, particularly if you do not want to re-decorate the entire room.

10 things to consider when decorating your child’s room

10 things to consider when decorating your child’s room

When it comes to decorating your child’s bedroom, it can be quite a tricky job. You want to make it as fun for them as you can, whilst also thinking of the longevity of the chosen design. For example, a fourteen year old girl is not going to still want a princess themed room that was brilliant at five, when she hits fourteen. Whilst this list could be endless, we have picked out 10 important things to consider and bear in mind when you come to decorating your child’s bedroom.

1) Go back to basics Make sure that you know all of the important pieces of furniture to get, so you can plan and design the room. If you are buying new furniture, take measurements, to ensure that they fit correctly. As a rough outline, and if the room permits, try and include the following items: a wardrobe, a bed, a desk and chair, a book shelf, storage areas and an art area.

2) Make it colourful Children love bright, colourful things, and their bedroom is the perfect place and opportunity to inject some colour. This is their area, and it should be a fun place for them to be. This does not have to be costly – if you are decorating on a budget, consider adding a brightly coloured lampshade, or some fairy lights. Coloured blinds are also an effective but practical way of adding colour.

3) Invest in sturdy furniture You need to bear in mind and consider how long they will have this furniture for. Beds, for example, need to be sturdy, as they will grow and become heavier and the bed will need to last. Also take this into consideration if you plan on investing in a themed bed. Choose one that can realistically be painted in a few years when your child has out grown the theme.

4) The age of your child This point follows on nicely. Think about the age your child is when you start the decorating process. If they are at the age where they will be reaching puberty in a few years, and their tastes are likely to change, think less about creating an entire themed room as this will be hard to change, and rather about adding themed accessories that can easily be changed.

5) Storage When planning the process of decorating your child’s room, it is so important to incorporate as much storage as you can. Make sure you have utilised and maximised every bit of space. You can make these options fun, to encourage your child to tidy up after themselves. If your chid has a small room, cabin beds are ideal, as the area below the bed can be used as either a study or storage area.

6) Siblings If you have more than one child sharing a room, bunk beds can be a brilliant option. These do not take up any more floor space, maximising the living area. If the children are close in age and you want to have a theme, make sure it is one that suits them both. If there is a bigger age gap, try a more neutral colour, and let them choose individual accessories.

7) Get the children involved After all, it is your child’s bedroom, where they will be spending their time, so it is only fair if they have their say as well. This can be as controlled as you like, but you can turn it into a fun project, to make it exciting, and this will allow them to see it as a positive change, particularly if they are not looking forward to a change. It will also encourage them to keep the room neat and tidy afterwards.

8) Make sure you have everything Make sure you know where everything is, when it comes to placing everything back into the room. This will save you time, and will help to keep it organised. This is the same with all of the decorating tools. Be sure that you have everything prior to starting your child’s room, so you do not have to stop halfway. The process needs to be efficient to keep their routine as normal as possible.

9) Stay organised OK, so this is very similar to the point above, but it cannot be stressed enough. You really have to be organised when it comes to decorating – if you are having furniture delivered, know when this is due to arrive, and what will needed to have been done before this. It is advisable to make a timetable of what jobs need to be completed on what day. This way there is no stressing as you know exactly what needs to be done.

10) Let them have space Your child’s bedroom is a place for them to relax and have fun. Therefore it is important to make as much free space for them as possible. Utilise space, and think outside the box for storage options, leaving as much free floor space as possible. This will give them plenty of room to move around and grow, making their room a fun place to be.

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