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As I shared earlier this week, I've struggled a time or two with the “if only's” in my life. Recently my sweet neighbor (and fellow penny pincher!) asked me what we would do when our youngest “grew out” of her bedroom. You see, when Reagan was born, our guest bedroom was on the main floor of our home, and I wasn't willing to have a baby (or our older children) downstairs while the rest of the family's bedrooms were upstairs. We did have an oversized playroom though on the second floor of our home, so my husband and his dad spent hours splitting off a very tiny but perfectly sweet room for our little girl.
It is tiny though. (Teeny tiny.) And my neighbor (who meant absolutely no offense at all!), said what I know quite a few people have thought as they've looked around the small space that's Reagan's room. (It literally holds her tiny bed up against a huge window, plus a small dresser. . . and that's it . . . hardly any room for toys or anything at all!) I guess maybe I've considered it a time or two also, but it really seems to suit her just fine. And as none of my kids have ever been ones to hang out in their bedrooms (ever), I think she'll probably stay there . . . quite possibly all the way through college . . . or at least until she can kick her big brother out!
Here's what I'm trying to remind myself though (which is so hard to remember some days!): If the worst thing in Reagan's life is that she grows up in a smaller bedroom than her brother and sister, I'm betting she'll make it. It's so easy to think that in order for our children to live fully they need everything that everyone else has, especially in a society where so many (myself included!), live with complete abundance.   However, if you've met Reagan, you know that the child lacks for just about nothing else in this ole' world, so a tiny bedroom might help keep her oversized-ego in check!
You know what's funny about that tiny room? When snow is in the forecast (which doesn't come nearly often enough here in North Alabama . . .) my kids all run up to Reagan's room, so that we can snuggle up under the covers in her bed while looking out her window and hoping to see a glimpse of falling snow. And, when it's time to read, Reagan's bedroom is just the perfect spot . . . despite maybe because of it's diminuitive proportions!
The moral of the story? (Umm. . . . if there really is one . . .) Don't get discouraged if your budget doesn't allow for the bigger and better things that others may have. (Can you remind me of this one please, too?) And, even if your budget can afford it, your kiddos don't necessarily need all that stuff anyways . . . especially when there are so many who can be blessed when we choose sometimes to give to others rather than our own. Don't get me wrong, my children have plenty, but I would love to teach them somewhere along the way it's better to give than to receive.
Do you know what Reagan prayed for last night up in that sweet little bed of hers? That “all the people who don't have food would get some.”  Maybe she'll figure out what really does matter long before her momma ever did. 🙂
You can see more of Reagan's tiny room and how we fluffed it up not too long ago. When it's clean (ahem,) it's my favorite spot in the house!
Do you have any tips on how to feel content with whatever you have? I'd love to hear them in the comments section!
I honestly don't think her bedroom is too small. I actually think its perfect for its intended use. I grew up in a bedroom of a similar size. Ironically (different house) one of our children will have a bedroom about this size. We knew that when we bought the house. Sometimes, when cleaning, I'm thankful for this size home!
We raised 5 children (4 girls and 1 boy, the youngest). In a 3 bedroom house. Eventually we used back part of garage as a fourth bedroom and everyone has great memories.
Such a nice story,it reminds us of what we REALY need, each other.
I just looked at the link of her room, it seems perfectly adequate to me? Definitely a cute little room 🙂
It is DEFINITELy adequate – you’re right Jessica! 🙂
I grew up with 3 older brothers. As my parents put it “I was an afterthought” yeah , a nine year later afterthought. We had a 3 bedroom house. My oldest brother had his own room, while the 2 younger ones shared. I can remember sleeping in the baby bed in my parents room and then moving to a twin bed in their room. With my oldest brother being 12 yrs older than me, he was in the Air Force and I had a bedroom before you knew it. I think it made me and my brothers that much closer living in a small house.
Thanks so much for sharing Janell! So good to hear your perspective from the other side of things ~ I really do think she’ll survive, and even though they’re only seven years apart, it’s not long at all until she could have my son’s larger room if she really wanted it … I can’t believe they grow up so fast! 🙂
Reagan must have been with this Grandmother and two little boys she could not possibly have known about when saying her prayers last night. God works in miraculous ways. At noon yesterday while I was visiting a Women’s Shelter at York Rescue Mission two adorable little boys came running into the main gathering room in the house. They were happy, healthy looking, dressed nicely blond haired little fellas 3 and 4 years old. We chatted with their young Mom as they played together. We had just seen their bedroom which they share with their Mom as they transition and work through a Christian based program. Their goal is to be able to move out of one tiny room, not much larger than Reagan’s really, to the building next door where they will have a small apartment. But first Mom has to find a job, transportation, and be able to prove that she is able to handle the responsibilities that go with living on her own with two young sons. She faces an uncertain future with her boys as she is so young. I prayed for those little boys today and to hear that Reagan, without knowing, prayed indirectly for them is AWESOME! Reagan’s bedroom is fine. It’s a place she calls her own where she can go and ponder the world and has already figured out that it is important to pray for the kids who face struggles bigger than her’s. My visit to the homeless shelter and Reagan’s prayer are perhaps coincidental, but her big heart is lots more valuable in life than any size bedroom she may ever have. That a little girl has learned so early in life the inequalities of this world is amazing. That she at her tender age said a prayer about this is inspiring.
She’s definitely incredibly fortunate and I know has soooo much compared to others (and her tiny room will be just fine!) 🙂
I just read this, and loved it, and looked at the other Fluff up link of her room. What a great room. I am so behind of reading your blogs, printing coupons, and catching up on so many things. Our resident is at the hospital, and they have given him a few days left to live. Things have been a little tough around here.
But, I was so glad that I did find this wonderful story in my email. My biggest saying to so many, and mostly my children at time, is to not get your needs and wants mixed up. If I was a kid, I would LOVE and ADORE that room. It is so sweet and loving, and I bet she will want to stay in that room until she leaves home. I know I would.
Thank you so much Katie for your kind encouragement! I really do love her little room, and think it may be a wonderful thing for her to live with a little less.
I pray that your next few days go smoothly – hang in there, and thank you so much for your sweet words! 🙂
I think that keeping things small, help one to see the bigger picture. I am a big fan of Tiny houses. I am sure a lot of people have seen Tumbleweed houses by now. One day I hope to have one or build one. At any rate as I as grown older, I realize that sometimes less is best. The less house (or in this case bedroom) the less you have to clean, less room to clutter and less to move, should you move one day. It helps us to see the importance of keeping only the things we really need or really use. So we don’t become hoarders.
thanks for this reminder. love what you said and looking at the link to her room, i love it. my daughters room is my fave room in our house
Thanks Jenn! 🙂
First of all, I have to tell you, I LOVE Reagan’s room. It is very cozy and just precious. I remember growing up with my two sisters and I sharing a room so small that we didn’t even have a dresser and instead, used milk crates! Not sure why everyone has it in their heads that “bigger is better”. To me, your house is huge. In fact, my kids think it’s huge too! lol! You’re right. We should not get discouraged by not being able to get “bigger and better” or waste our time worrying about it. Rather, we should just enjoy our time with our little ones b/c before we know it, they’ll all be out of the house and we’ll be complaining then that our house is too big! haha!
Thanks Alice! James’ sisters grew up sleeping in a room not much bigger than Reagan in a full size bed – all the way through high school! I’m more and more amazed right now at how many people seem to think we have to get SO much for our kids, and mine really are okay without everything (but it’s hard to remember some days!)
And I think our house is plenty big too (but I’m pretty sure yours is the same size!) This weekend we went to a huge home, and it was very hard not to get jealous… but really, we just don’t need anymore than what we have ~ we’re so incredibly blessed! I think I would give anything for ours to just look as put together (and tidy!) as yours is…. (ughhhhh!!!!) 😉
Whenever I feel like our house is too small, I vacuum the house and mop the floors. Then, I’m thankful that it’s not any bigger! haha!