together

Originally published April 1, 2014

Here’s a question that a friend asks:

What kind of space do I use to work with my kids one on one?  How can I make it cozy?

Well, when we moved in to our house eleven years ago, there was this “breakfast nook,” a little bay window that would seat two comfortable, three at best.  Not exactly suitable for a family of nine.  But it overlooks the back yard and it is bright.  It’s a lovely place for working one on one.  I put a little table there, a chair and I sit on an exercise ball.  Weird, I know.

Having a place be cozy, pretty, comfortable is important.  Having a flat space to work is important.  Not that I haven’t done dictation on a large book on our laps on the couch just after having a baby!

Before my little bay window, though, I often worked at the kitchen table.  Wherever you’re working should be reasonably tidy.  After meals, give a quick tidy up and wipe.  In fact, if there was one place in my house that I would use as a starting point for staying organized, it would be the area I work with my kids.  A table is great because you can situate yourself so that you can face any direction.  Like AWAY from the sink.

Here’s the two criteria I think are most important to consider regarding “one on one” space.  You should be able to be cozy.  Whatever chairs or stools or love seat or whatever you choose, be able to get close, heads together, arm on the back of the chair.  Be close enough that you can snuggle.

Have your “tools” accessible.  And out of the way of toddlers.  Pencils, pens, erasers, exercise books, dictation resources, dictionary.  Have these right at your workspace.  One $69 Ikea Billy bookshelf is high enough to keep the stuff you don’t want toddlers to wander off with safe.  When we had a few littles around, we often kept the bottom shelf or two of the bookcase for toddler toys and activities.

If your little space for working one on one doesn’t have room for a bookshelf, there are alternatives.  A plastic dishpan (the kind that fits into your sink shown here) can keep all the things needful for doing sit down work, and then put up on a high shelf or in a kitchen cupboard to keep everything on hand and toddler free.  Next post I’ll put up some photos of our little corner.