Big. Boy.

Last week, Jude's teacher sent home a checklist which we were supposed to go through, detailing all the specifics of how the kid's study area should be set up -  comfortable chair, good lighting, no distractions, a place for their school supplies. Ergh.

I'm afraid that Jude's been doing his homework at the dining room table. And the whole distractions thing has been an issue. So I'm thinking this checklist is a good idea. And it certainly pointed out what we were lacking.

Honestly, when I was a kid, I mostly did my homework on the coffee table while I was watching "Star Trek". Then when I was a little bit older, I just did it on my bed.

But I realized that it was probably a good idea to set the little man up with a proper study area.

So I spent the entire day today rearranging Jude's entire room, and setting up this...

 

Yep, the kid now has a desk. Thank God for Ikea. It's cute, right?

I'm so proud of myself for buying that shelving unit several years ago, because Ikea also made the matching desk that attached to it. Here's the link if you're interested, it's called the Expedit series. I do highly recommend it. The shelving unit will totally grow with him. I bought those little plastic buckets when he was little to hold all his cars and dinosaurs and stuff, but now we're kind of phasing them out.

I also bought the cool red chair and the lamp and desk accessories to hold all his school supplies. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out.

When Jude got home from school today, I told him he needed to go to his room and start his homework right away. He ran in there with his little backpack and I heard him stop in his tracks and say "Whoa!"

He LOVES it. He was so proud. He especially likes the red chair. Here he is hard at work...

 

I was in the kitchen making dinner, and I kept hearing him talking to himself in there at his new desk. We only children talk to ourselves. He said "this is excellent lighting" and "I love this chair. I could live in this chair." So I'm thinking he's pretty happy about it.

Maybe it'll make him like homework.

Nah.

Comments

[Michele R.]

Way to go Mom! It looks great. He is adorable and funny.

[VandyJ]

Turbo has a desk, but he does not have good lighting. he does his homework at the table, because I have to keep him on track--he's not the most focused. And the Legos would call to him in a voice that he would not resist. So the table it is.
What you put together for Jude is awesome. I'd love to shop Ikea. If it wasn't a 3 hour drive one way.

[Michele]

Awww...the newness of a cool place to study.

[Sprite's Keeper]

Yay for IKEA! We have that desk shelf combo in black in John's office. Instant fans.

[W!]

I was about to comment with something pseudo-witty or sarcastic, but you have created something for Jude that is phenomenal ---- you've just allowed him a true "man cave" where he can focus completely on the task at hand, his life, his homework, his relationships, etc. This concept of a "man-cave" is more important to us dudes than you'll realize --- I don't know if Jimmy has one at your house but i bet he does. We always have to have an ordered place to "get away to." Not saying that women don't need the same thing, but I think guys will always acquiesce to letting women control the nest if you know what I mean.

What's really nice is that, as the matriarchal figure in the house, you have planted that concept in Jude that he must always have "that space to get away." As an only child myself, it was always so important to have that little desk. Well, in my case, my desk wan't that little. My mom was (is) a real estate broker, so I got her hand-me-down office desk. And in my current home, the Missus has allowed me a man-cave of sorts with our designated office.

Now, I realize that boys that are part of larger families with less resources do not grow up dysfunctional because they don't get their own little man-cave. But I betcha as soon as they do acquire the resources in life, they will build it. That's what we do.

[MamaBadger]

Ok, that's two recommendations for the desk/bookshelf combo. Maybe we'll head out to Pittsburgh and check out Ikea.

He looks like he's ready to write a book in that picture.

[Home Improvement Brisbane]

the chair is really lovely , though My son who is 12 still loves to see bumble bee on everything he has, including tables and chairs,

[Don F]

"This is excellent lighting". That's hilarious! Looks like a nice, clean area to get some work done. Good for you and him on taking some action to make the study place a more focused area!

[Faith Mcleod]

I have also a set up like this in my room. It was my father who did it for me. They are just so amazing because they support me whenever I have endeavors.