I Am First Time Mom Going to Be and Need Opion

I agree with the other replies about the mixed message. That’s why my daughter doesn’t own “soap markers” for the bathtub!! A separate chalk board, art easel or desk would be a better idea – that would give her a special place to use her crayons, markers, playdoh etc.

I have the chalk paint on my twin boys closet doors and have since they where infants. The twins have never drawn anywhere else other than on the chalkboard doors because I showed them they could draw there. I am an art teacher and feel that children need a place to draw and explore and I think the chalk board paint is a great way to achieve this. Good luck with the new baby.

Kathie

A child can be taught one is ok and another isn't. We never put in outlet covers or put away breakables. We just told her no.
My daughter is 4 and I just painted the magnetic paint on one of her walls. I had thought about the chalk paint but realized I didn't want to be dusting her room 10 times a day! Maybe concider a space in the garage! Maggie, wife and mother of 2, a 4yr old and a 7wk old in Heaven

Besides learning about drawing on walls, I would look into the chemicals that are in their. We are just learning what a huge difference there is between paints! You want a paint with low to no VOC's (volatile organic compounds) these leach out of the paint for months after a room is painted. We just painted our son's new room and used Behr paint from home depot because it has a low content. However, 1.5 weeks later (he isn't in there yet) we still smell it. Next time we are going to Sherwin Williams and getting their "harmony" brand, it is classified as "green" and has very low VOC if any. It is expensive, but worth it. We wish we had known more when we were getting our nursery together and we are now doing things different with our second child. Also, buy pure all wood furniture! Ours was cheap and had particle board in the back and we just learned that that stuff leaches formaldehyde for the up to a year after opening!! And it attracts roaches, just like cardboard.
I have no idea about the paint you are talking about, but I'm sure it is filled with stuff you don't want to have your new baby exposed too. Good luck and Congratulations! My son was born on April 6, 2005.

I personally wouldn't opt for that. Althought it's a cool idea there can be obvious ramifications to that decision like how will your child respond to chalk dust, chalk all over the clothes, floor etc. Is there a family history of allergies, asthma? Maybe an alternative would be to paint the inside of the closet door (if it's a swinging door vs a slider)or the back side of the bedroom door. That might limit some of the mess and chalk dust. Obviously, small chalk could be a choking hazard so a closeable container that can be put up out of reach would be helpful. Also, if you have a wall designated for drawing on, are you prepared for your child to draw on other walls or surfaces in you house? Just some food for thought in you decision process. ~AC, mother of two school aged boys

Congrats on your pregnancy! :)

Considering the child will not begin coloring or drawing until the age of two, you should most likely wait until they are older. They also have the chalk board paint that is green (much more attractive than the dark black). Plus I would make sure you do not have carpet, as chalk tends to break apart and can sometimes stain rugs or carpet.
Hope this helps!

You are not being anal, just concerned. My kids had the animals, when my oldest was 3, she had her first one. I was upset because like your fear, she began to color on all her animals, and her brother LOL. Now when she was 5 she understood the difference. I think it is the maturity level of the child, and you teaching them. I was unprepared for the first one. My 2year old like markers and ink pens. However, I know that if I do not sit with her she will color on herself. With Crayons she has learned that she can only color in the coloring books or on paper mommy gives her, but she used to grab a crayon and color on anything paper including my class work and important documents. I just had to work with her. I like the advice of another parent to just pain a portion and frame it so the child knows the difference. Then when it is older and more mature to know the difference you can pain the rest of the wall. I do suggest any paint you use be the child friendly pain that lets you wash crayon off easily though.

No you are not anal. Its a good question. I wondered about it myself. But if you put a frame arount it you can show them the other areas do not look like the frame. Paint the frame a color you dont have in your home so for little ones you can tell them "only in the orange area" something like that. The same with the magic paper, markers that only work on special paper, frame in an area. Good luck I wish you well.

Blessings

First of all, you are way off even needing something for your child to write on at all--they usually can't really pick up a crayon or chalk until around 1-1 1/2. And I TOTALLY agree with you--how are you supposed to teach them a difference between it being OK to write on that wall and not any others at that age? It's hard enough teaching them not to write on any walls--it will be very hard to teach that one is OK and all others are off limits! Remember your walls aren't the only ones you should be thinking of here.
I would think that would be a good idea around 3-4 years because then they are old enough to not only put some effort into drawing and really start enjoying it, but you are able to explain to them what is OK and not OK to draw on....

This will give them the idea that they can write on ALL the walls. Don't do it. My aunt use to put paper bags on the bottom of her walks for my cousins to draw on and it worked well for her. I don't think I could get away with allowing my son to do this. He already writes on his toys when I let him color.

you could use the paint on part of the wall, put a wood trim around it, so it actually looks like a chalkboard, and your little one then can learn to only write within the frame...

If i was you guys i would not put the color black in the room. That is a SAD color.

If you let the little one write on one wall they will write on all of the walls, anywhere. Then you will have no reason to get upset when they do.

Here are some book ideas for you because you are going to be a first time mom.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2234879

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http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=224610

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I Believe this one comes as a book or a DVD. I would buy the DVD and play it a 100 times.

http://www.thehappiestbaby.com/

God Bless you and your little one on the way and your family.

Give your husband lots of hugs and kisses now because when your little one gets here, you will be to tired to remember to do anything. When you have children you start to forget alot. LOL

From one mother to another. :)

I did this for my 4 year old ,only on a small section from about 3 ft down and then made a boarder with his hand prints. We really enjoyed it. It was messy though. Now that I have a one yearold girl we have a back porch made of wood and concrete floors, I am again gonna use the chalk board paint to do all around the wood which is about 3 1/2 feet up below the screen. Even though she is only one she loves to draw with chalk. My son never drew on the walls and used it all the time. I have a neice and nephew though, that I told their mom how great the paint idea was and her children draw on everything, furniture ect.. But she doesnt believe in disipline. Its up to you! I think its great. If I didnt have the porch option I probably would paint it inside again. We learned words, alphabet, did homework, I,d leave smileys and I Love You's. Very little bad say about it, just a little extra clean up but way worth it.

Angie,

As some moms agree with the animals you can draw on, the paint you can write on becuase it gets their creativity going.... but I am one of those parents who disagree 100%. I have 3 children ages 11,4,and almost 3 year old and I believe if you just teach them right from wrong in the beginning and DO NOT give in they will learn and understand that paint belongs on paper, markers, crayons for coloring books or projects..... I do a lot with my children... projects daily so they know they can have fun while doing the things they enjoy but doing it properly..... Less stress for me and my kids learn and laugh and have a great day. GOod Luck on this adventure as being a first time mother I know you will do what is right for your children. God Bless.

Hi Angie,

I have the kids playroom painted (from chair rail height down)in chalkboard paint. They love it. But, my boys are 7 and 5. My one year old has no interest in it. Also, when you erase the chalk, it can be very dusty. I'm not sure I'd want it in a newborns room since they aren't even supposed to breathe in any baby powder. The best way to clean it is with a damp cloth.

Hope this helps.
K. A.
Mom to three boys

The chalk board paint is amazing!!! We love it and I have painted chalk boards for friends of mine in their kitchens with moulding - they love it more! It leaves dust on the baseboards but all cleans up easily. Your child will learn where it is OK and where it is not to write - quicker than you'd think. You have awhile for that - my 12 year old leaves me messages that say thank you for something or just to remind me he loves me .... you don't want to miss that! :)

I read other Mom's say to wait ... why not teach your child from the start? I have never had any issues. I don't leave chalk, markers or crayons out without my supervision. No problem for me. I painted life size outlines of my friend's 2 year old daughter all over her room. She posed for pictures and transfered to the walls. She used them as full sized paper dolls that she dressed with chalk and drew faces and hair. She still LOVES it at 6! I also used it as stripes (floor to ceiling) in a bathroom for a 6 year old girl. If you'd like photos of what they look like - just let me know. The paint is great! And is easily painted over.

I have to agree with you that young children are not able to see the difference between being able to write on certain things but not others. My 2yr old daughter just got a doodle bear for her birthday and it has created HUGE problems. She is writing on EVERYTHING. Dolls, toys, blocks, and now my kitchen walls and fridge. After two weeks of repeatedly saying "we only write on PAPER"...I think we have finally solved the problem. I think your husband has a great idea but I would encourage him to hold onto his "project" until around age 3-4 :)

It may be confusing to the child at first, but like everything else you will have to teach him/her where he/she is able to write! It's hard at first until they get it, but we have to teach them what they can eat, that we can run & throw balls outside not inside...etc. You get my point. Great artistic outlet and wonderful to teach letters or draw pictures. Just a thought...I would do it on a piece of plywood or door skin and frame with molding to look like a picture so it could be easily removed if you wish.....it's hard to paint over! I love the look! We have allergies and opted to get the easel and put it outside and left the chalk out there! :) good luck!

Dear Angie,
You guys need to chill. See Steve Martin's old movie about parenthood... I hate to tell you but as sure as you go through all this (at this point) by the time she understands what the room looks like, she will want it her own way, and black sounds hard to paint over. She won't be writing for a while, I think you have time to just paint and wallpaper what YOU like.
Just pick some colorful stuff, colors and shapes DO stimulate the brain. Actually, I vote for the primary colors, as that IS something she will have to know prior to kindergarten... but remember THAT is FIVE YEARS away too.
I had twins at 48. My best advice is to try to relax and really enjoy her infant-hood, time will fly. She'll probably be a genius without writing on the walls.
Peace,
NancyT

I'm with you when it comes to not giving kids "mixed messages." My suggestion would be to wait until your child is able to distinguish "this is a special place where you can write on the walls" and not elsewhere. I would think this would be around 3 years of age. Not painting the wall now is one less battle to fight as you try to teach your child the right things. I applaud your husband for being so involved-great guy. The wall will be that much more special if he waits and treats it as a "special thing"-just for your 3 year old.

Just like you would teach her not to write on any wall, you can do that with all the others. She will learn the difference in the one wall as long as you are consistant.
My son and daughter-in-law did that with a closet in the kitchen and no problem so far. Being a first time mom can be difficult, you're doing great by inquiring.

I side with you. Although the idea is cool, it will confuse the child totally. Not saying you can never do, but wait until the child is old enough to know and understand the difference between only writing on a wall in their room and just a random wall. There is plenty of time for writing on things they shouldnt be. Tell your husband to take his time and baby the baby...no hurry for them to grow up. You can always paint the wall later.

My DH works for Sherwin Williams paints and has for 6 years. The ONLY paint they reccommend for a baby's room or nursery is their 'harmony' paint which has low VOC's (volitile organic compounds) because other paints increase risk of SIDS deaths or miscarriage.

I would be very cautious using any paint that isn't low VOC.

Low VOC paints are offered at other stores also.

Personally i wouldn't do a whole wall. Maybe just a section? And could you wait to do that till later on, when the child gets bigger?

I would only do part of the wall and frame it with some wood trim. This way it looks like an actual chalk board. That would be less confusing for the child.

I have read that the reason toddlers draw on the wall is because it is actually a more comfortable position for them than writing on paper. My daughter has never written on walls (she is three) and she has a chalkboard in her room, she knows the difference. The only thing I would be concerned of, would it look wierd to have a big black wall in the baby's room?

I thnk its a bad idea to do it. You cannot teach a young child its OK to color on this wall but not that one. You can buy chalk boards at Toys R Us for about 40 or 50 bucks. Besides that, kids dont really get into chalk boards till their about 1 1/2.

You are just trying to look out for your new baby... :-)

Chalkboard paint is great. You could consider painting a section of the wall, and framing it - with wood strips or a border. This would help the child see a defined area where this is allowed versus just a wall.

I had a free standing chalk board when I was a kid that had the alphabet written along the top. My parents got it for me for fun, but we believe that it was a big reason why I learned my alphabet so early and was reading and writing before I went to kindergarten. It was fun, I got to draw, but I was learning also.

I say wait until your child is older and knows the difference.
It's not like your child will be born and have the ability to write or draw, so waiting is probably the better option.

Hi Angie,

I agree with most of the moms on waiting and then only a portion of the wall...but that really doesn't matter because you don't want your husband to do it at all. Remember you're nesting, and he doesn't need to be messing with the nest! At least, not now! Dads sometimes think they are helping with these decisions. The problem is they are making decisions that the Moms have to manage day-to-day. You sound like you know what you want and you will be the parent dealing with it the most of the time.

Good luck and if he gives you any trouble, let him read your mamasource :)!

God bless and Congratulations!

M.

I would not any black...that is great for a play room but not the bedroom...I never used it and my darling daughter has made an 8 ft mural on my hallway wall...I am so not happy I was doing laundry 10 minutes later disaster....That being said you can always add it later lets be honest for atleast 8-10 months they won't even attempt to draw with anything...just put it in their mouth....Do you know what you are having...I have triplets..2 girls and 1 boy...we did lavender & a light pink with yellow accents...My sons room is a baby blue and like a lime green not to harsh with navy accents...

My concern is the chalk dust that will be in your child's room when he/she is old enough to use the chalkboard. So many kids have allegies now a days. (I used to be a 2 year old preschool teacher and I let my classes do chalk outside).
If you do decide to use the paint I agree with people who said to do a small part and frame the area so it looks more like a chalkboard than a wall. This will give your child a designated area to draw on. Or wait until your child is old enough to even use a chalkboard and add it then. (Then you will have a better idea if your child is prone to allergies or not)