With the arrival of our second baby in July, we are going to have to make some changes around the house. I will be giving up my studio so that we can turn it into a nursery. While there is a part of me that believes kids should share a room- and I have no doubt that ours will at some point in the future- I don't always think it is in the parents best interest to have their babies share a room. I have watched my friends and family members struggle with two little ones sharing a room. One cries, the other wakes up- and so on, and so forth throughout the night. I know I am not strong enough to endure a nighttime chorus of crying- it would push me right over the edge.
And so...the studio must go. But before I throw in the towel on having a space of my own, we are considering what might be done with our attic. It looks like this, minus the bed and furniture (this is a picture from when the previous owners lived here):
It is a nice enough space, and right now, we use it for nothing but storage. The only issue is the temperature- freezing in the winter, and steamy sauna in the summer. To make this a year-round room, we would need to make a few improvements- new windows, a new layer of paint, perhaps some carpet. Once you have kids, I have noticed that it becomes harder to justify spending money on yourself. When we redid the basement, it was to make a playroom. When I splurge on something, it is usually for my little guy. So I am wondering whether I can justify splurging on creating a nice space for myself to continue my crafty pursuits?
Along those lines- feeling inspired by
this article that my mom sent me!
As well as
Anna Marie Horner's attic studio!
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I'm sure it is harder to justify spending money on yourself, but it is important to realize that your pursuits and interest matter, too. Maybe if you have a space (and some time) for yourself you will be able to better appreciate the time and space that you give to your family.
You need a space that is yours and yours alone if at all possible. Take the time and money if possible and make use of that attic space. I bet you will be glad you did.
A room of one's own. Yes. A room of one's own. You come first; and that sets a good healthy example for your children to see.
I would love an attic studio space... do it! Use a space heater in the winter and fans or AC in the summer.
Do it now! Because as the kids get older there will be less and less time and a lot less money to do it later. You are used to your space; you need it for your work, too. Do up that beautiful attic and don't feel guilty about it. As mothers we give up so much of ourselves for our families that it is very important to hold on to a little for ourselves.
PS Congratulations on your new "bun."
Oh I am totally on the 'do it now' bandwagon. With our second only 2.5 months old, I am already so glad to have my own creative space in our house...if for no other reason to be able to go in there and cry when it just gets too overwhelming :)
My room of my own was the furnace/workroom. I put up the baby gate, had a sewing table, a bulletin board and some drawers. I could hear all the action in the adjoining play room...but yet no one could get fingers into my projects. I was toasty warm, thanks to the furnace, and it worked out great for a few years.
that is a great space! i love it. mine is big and wonderful too, but it is over the garage and freezing in winter and brutal hot in summer. i have a space heater which i keep close by and in the summer the windows are open and the fan is on, or i take little projects downstairs to the kitchen to work on. you will probably come to appreciate your own space come nap times.
As moms, we almost always deprive ourselves.Just a small lesson - anytime we fly, the flight attendants instruct us how to use the oxygen masks. They advise that if we're traveling with small children, we should give ourselves the oxygen mask first so we'll be whole and healthy to help our little ones. Please give yourself the oxygen mask and create a beautiful creative space for yourself. You'll be so happy you did - and so will everyone else!
A creative space for small moments of escape sounds like a smart investment in the sanity of the mama (at least it was at our house!).
you absolutely MUST have a space for your creative self because you are so creative to stifle it would break my heart . . the attic is perfect! add a space heater for when it gets cold-- a fan for the summer heat-- it will be awesome! can't wait to come play in it. xooxx, e
I love the attic idea. Maybe all it needs is a coat of paint to start. Then, you have a place to put your pieces and all the other expense can come later.
Remember that this is not "letting go" of yourself but rather shuffling things around. That can be exciting too. I'm all for having one's space. It took me a long time to realize that. The important thing that I've learned is that it doesn't take much to make it seem like a space. Maybe you have a corner here or there in the house.....One that has a comfy chair, good lighting and your knitting basket. Maybe another space where a small desk could be placed to have a computer on while the children are playing near by. I have a space....but, I recognize that much of what I do is all over the house. Depending on where the children are. I really think the key is diversity. Have projects set up of differnt levels of concentration. Some that you work on in the kitchen with good light when the children snack. A knitting or quilting project that can be done by hand inside or outside.
You are creative and this just gives you an opportunity to think creatively. Have fun!
Congratulations on your newest bundle of joy. Can't wait to see you in June.
yes, you must make a new space that is your own! after 10 years of mamahood, i am finally getting to this myself. it's not what i envision in my dreams, but it's something. you deserve this!
i think there is no better person right now to invest in. if you don't do it now, then when?
The article is very enlightening and I do think American parents have drunk some kind of cool-aid that obliterates their needs and puts kids before them. I have work with young children and their families for over 20 years and I have seen children as young as two rule the roost. I have seen young children have that sense of entitlement the author is talking about and respond to well meaning adults, teachers and their parents with the rudest of attitudes. Why, because these children don't know what it's like to have boundaries and expectations, not of their, own placed on them. So like all the other respondents in your comment section do yourself a favor and spend money on designing a beautiful studio for yourself. And forget drinking the cool-aid marked guilt. Parents should never feel guilty about taking care of themselves.
Do it! I have to laugh, because I realize that I actually have about 4 personal spaces to myself in our not-so-big apartment. Our boys share a room because I wasn't willing to give up my sewing room. I also have my corner of the office for my painting studio, and a corner of the living room for my "knitting chair" and basket. Ha! My family members all know that these are my spaces, and it's so interesting to see how they all respect and understand the space I need. So, take the space you need. It's your home and you have to create what you want of it for you, your children, and your husband. It will give you lots of comfort, peace of mind, and satisfaction to have a space to work and create. Do it!