| Want to help your child grow up happy, healthy, | | | | or she is still a child. Bed sizes should progress |
| smart and balanced? Make sure they eat well, | | | | from crib to youth to twin. (More about larger |
| take their vitamins, and exercise. Of course you | | | | beds later.) |
| already do all of that. But have you taken a good | | | | Bed Placement: |
| look at their bedroom? What you do there can | | | | So, where should you put that single bed in that |
| help your little one grow or it can hold your child | | | | small room? In a corner with head and side |
| back. | | | | against a wall. The primal urge for safety is to |
| Here's Master Peter Reiss' Feng Shui Guide to | | | | retreat to the cave. Create that safe cave or |
| Creating a Good Ch'i Child's Room. | | | | den for your child. (More later about this too.) |
| COLOR | | | | STUFF |
| In Feng Shui colors have multiple uses. Each color | | | | I know you were waiting for this one. |
| has its life area meaning and its own energy. | | | | Many of today's kids live in a permanent state of |
| Intensity: Ch'i (energy) intensity varies as the color | | | | overwhelm. Help them maintain a personal space |
| intensity changes. | | | | (their room) that is supporting balanced focus |
| A baby's eyes need contrast, vivid colors and light | | | | instead of adding to the chaos. (Be realistic, |
| to develop. Strong primary colors are important | | | | though. It's a matter of degree. Some chaos is a |
| to have in baby's environment. Toys and pictures | | | | normal state for most pre-teens and teens. Think |
| are a great way to bring them in. What you don't | | | | back.) |
| want is a primary color room. Way too jangly ch'i! | | | | Start the conversation early. Help your kids learn |
| Try a light off-white early on - good for contrast. | | | | the difference about what they want and what |
| Later go to soft blues or soft greens to create a | | | | they really need and will really use. |
| calming environment. | | | | Try the Feng Shui In-Out Yin-Yang Clutter |
| WHAT? NO PRETTY PRINCESS PINK? | | | | Preventer. |
| Color Choice: In Feng Shui different colors have | | | | Of course, accumulating "stuff" is inevitable. This |
| different energy "meanings." Some are very | | | | creates the perfect opportunity to teach your |
| appropriate for kids' rooms, some very much not. | | | | little one how to make deposits in their Good |
| Good choices: | | | | Karma Bank Account. |
| - Blue -- Knowledge | | | | Charity is one of the two most powerful ways to |
| - Green -- New growth | | | | bring good things into your life (The other is |
| - Yellow -- Health | | | | education.) |
| Not so good choices | | | | When your son or daughter gets a new toy, help |
| - Red - Fire (very high intensity) | | | | them pick out an older one that isn't used |
| - Pink - Love & Marriage (More about this | | | | anymore and bring it to a thrift shop. Show them |
| later.) | | | | how good giving can make you feel. (Hint - this |
| You can always add accents of red, pink or any | | | | works for adults, too. A good example is always |
| other colors. Use your artistic and design | | | | the best teacher.) |
| sensibilities. Just avoid doing the whole room that | | | | Okay -- here's the "more later" I promised you. |
| way. | | | | A pink bedroom with a double or queen bed set |
| SPACE, SIZE & PLACEMENT | | | | up to allow access from either side -- this is an |
| Space Size: | | | | adult bedroom. It's the wrong ch'i environment for |
| In Feng Shui we look not only at the physical | | | | your little girl. (Size and placement also applies to |
| balance of the space and its contents, but also at | | | | boys.) Our jobs as parents is to encourage our |
| the balance of the space to the person living | | | | kids to be kids. |
| there. | | | | Finally- |
| Rule of thumb: | | | | No matter how you set up your baby's room, the |
| Grown-ups big: big space | | | | most powerful Feng Shui tool you have is...you. |
| Kids small: smaller space | | | | Give them your time and your attention, your |
| Try to create a protected environment. Cozy is a | | | | support and encouragement, and, most |
| good goal. | | | | importantly, your unconditional love. Now that's |
| Bed Size: | | | | good ch'i! |
| Remember as your child grows bigger in size, he | | | | |