This weekend my son was at my in-law’s place for a weekend away. He has been absolutely spoiled to the max, going to the movies, a Chinese New Year festival, and more. He’s had a ball.
My husband and I had played with different ideas of what we could do while he was away. Should we go stay in a hotel somewhere? Get up at sunrise every day and go hiking? Go out for some indulgent degustation dinner? We were drunk with power from all the things we could do while my son was away.
Then my husband hurt his back.
Weekend at home it was.
So, instead, we used the opportunity to make over my son’s bedroom. He still had the same layout (almost) from when he was born (the only thing missing was the rocking chair from when he was breastfed). He still had the change table and dresser in the corner, and various shelves with books.
He is still transitioning to using the toilet full time, as he still lacks confidence with number 2’s. We thought that if we took away the change table component and swapped it to something more exciting that it might help make that final shift to a “big boy” mentality.
We also factored in the following:
- He loves Octonauts
- My husband and I work from home and have our own offices. My son loves to go into our offices, and say that he’s “working” while banging on our keyboards. There have been many times when he has just asked to sit at the desk beside me and do some drawing or watch his iPad.
So we decided we would set him up with his own desk. He’s starting school this year (prep, the year before grade 1), and while he wouldn’t have any homework, it would be exciting for him to have somewhere that he can do drawings and activities. Somewhere that’s his space.
Behold, the octonauts makeover:
We already had the bookshelf cube unit from ikea (we’re obsessed with the Kallax units, I think we have probably 5 or 6 all up around the house).
After looking at desks we decided to get him a full-sized one – the Alex desk. He’s growing so fast (over the 97th percentile for his age) and all the children’s ones he looked like he would grow out of within a year or two. I’ve had my own Ikea height adjustable desk for about 4 – 5 years now (my husband has one bought not too long after), and one of the Kallax units has been going for over 10 years now. We know that we can make it last, so we decided a full-height desk it would be. It turned out to be a pure fluke that it was the same height as the Kallax unit since we didn’t pay attention to that at all.
I’ve also got Alex drawers in my office, so if anything ever happens we have a matching set, win!
The chair I arrived at Ikea and had a different one in mind, but saw this one for $10 cheaper and felt a bit more sturdy. It’s height adjustable (screwing it, rather than gas), and the colour matched his bedspread so that was a win.
I’m dying for a peg board in my office, so funnelled that into buying my son the board instead. So jealous. Also the basket set of 3 for $10 – felt like a bargain. It fits his colouring books, colouring in pens, and washi tape perfectly. The washi tape was originally mine to use in my planner but it was quickly stolen by my son – he loves stationery, just like me, so I can’t be too mad. I also added some little hooks to hang his lanyards on and his headphones, which will probably be removed quickly when it becomes a reminder for him to ask to use his iPad.
We also got the pencil light from Ikea, because it’s just sooooo cute!
Finally, the octonauts images were purchased from etsy for $5. Months ago I meant to order myself some printable sticker paper online and accidentally ordered vinyl, so it had been sitting in my study waiting for a purpose. Today was the day. A quick print, cut, and apply and the room is themed and ready for him.
I can’t wait to show him when he gets home!