As this year is flying by and I watch Charlie struggle more and more with things changing and what he wants for his life its hard because being here there isn’t really any where Charlie can go to be on his own and regroup. Then when he wants to have friends over he doesn’t have any privacy and I know from living in my parents home as a adult how had that can be.
Feeling this way keeps taking me back to when we lived in our mobile home, Charlie had his own bedroom and bathroom and even a shed where he could go to get away from everybody for a while. Over there we had even talked about giving Charlie the master bedroom because it was big enough for him and his friends. The closet would have made a nice game room for him because it was so big.
But the Lord had other plans for us and our Town home was taken back by the owner., I know the LORD has plans for us and we may not know them but I knew he had us move out of that area for a reason and being here away from those kids has been better for our family.
Sometimes, though we all need a little space of our own, don’t we? But now we’re living in a two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath townhouse with four adults and three dogs. Finding a place to call your own isn’t always easy when there are that many people and pets sharing a home.
When we first moved in, I took the downstairs bathroom and called it the guest bathroom or the girls’ bathroom and because David goes to bed so early I stayed downstairs so I could work at night. David took one of the bedrooms as his room and he and the dogs would stay in it..
Charlie had his own restroom upstairs because David usually used the one downstairs and with it and his room be had a mini or efficiency apartment. Then Junior moved in, and I had to move upstairs. Somewhere along the way, with me moving in it meant David and I kind of took over Charlie’s restroom, too!
Now we need to regroup and figure out how we can make things work for all three of us without fussing, fighting, and arguing all the time. We even have our coffee pot in there, so we have to figure out how to make that work, too! At times its hard esepecially with only one bathtub and Charlie loving to take long long baths.
In the meantime, Charlie has had to turn what was once his little man cave apartment back into a bedroom. And honestly, he’s unhappy. When his friends come over, there really isn’t enough space for them to hang out comfortably. That got me thinking about his upcoming 19th birthday on December 16.
One of the birthday gifts I want to give Charlie is a complete bedroom makeover! I don’t mean buying him a whole new bedroom set or spending money we don’t have. We live in an apartment, so painting the walls isn’t really an option. But we can still make his room feel different with pictures, posters, lighting, bedding, shelves, and decorations that reflect who he is now.
Charlie isn’t a little boy anymore. He’s a young man who enjoys gaming, technology, and spending time with his friends. I want his room to reflect that, instead of looking like a child’s bedroom. The good news is that we aren’t starting from scratch! Charlie has gotten thing throughout the years that will make this make-over easier on our wallets.
Charlie already has his couch, gaming setup, and television. Out in the hall, we have a breakfast nook and snack bar, a refrigerator, and room an icebox. That gives us a starting point for creating a space where he can relax, game, watch television, and enjoy snacks without needing to fit everything inside his bedroom.
Now it’s time to think about the finishing touches.
As you know more times than not I don’t shop on Amazon because I like to see, feel and touch the things I buy but this time I’ve creeated a Amazon Shopping List for Charlie’s Room Makeover because I can purchase one item a week and if anyone else wants to purchase Gifts for Charlie’s Birthday or Christmas they will know what we still need.
Here are some of the things I’m considering as I work toward his birthday surprise.
Charlie’s
Man Cave
A little corner of the world
to game, create, and recharge.
🎮 GAMING IN PROGRESS
🚪 PLEASE KNOCK
🐾 SNACKS AND DOG VISITS WELCOME
you may get recruited!
- LED lights: Something to give his gaming area some color and personality.
- A record player: Because sometimes you want to listen to music without turning on the television or computer. Plus, Charlie has been wanting to start his own vinyl collection like I have.
- Pictures and posters: Decorations that reflect his interests and make the walls feel like his own.
- Shelves for snacks: A convenient place near his computer to keep snacks organized.
- New bed sheets and a comforter: Something comfortable that fits his style and helps tie the room together.
- A shoe rack: Because shoes need a home, too, and I’d rather have them organized than scattered around the floor.
- Coffee table decorations: A decorative tray, coasters, a small sign, or something useful that makes his couch area feel more like a living room.
- A regular vacuum: Something easy to use when it’s time to clean the floor.
I’ll be looking at Amazon for ideas, comparing prices and features, and figuring out which items make the most sense for our budget. I’ve never put together a young man’s man cave, or even a true man cave, for that matter. Have you? If so come and help me.
I want Charlie to have a place where he can relax, enjoy his games, invite his friends over, and feel comfortable in his own space. I know we can’t make our two-bedroom townhouse bigger, but maybe we can make better use of what we have. And since this is a birthday gift is Christmas Gift, I want it to feel special.
Not because every single thing has to be brand-new, but because I want Charlie to know that I see him growing up and want to help him have a space that fits this next chapter of his life. So today, come along on my journey as I shop for items for Charlie’s room makeover!
If you’ve ever created a man cave, gaming room, or comfortable space for a young man, I’d love your suggestions. What would you include? What would you skip? And what little touches made the biggest difference in your room? Leave me your ideas in the comments. I’m learning as I go, and I could use a little help making this birthday surprise something Charlie will love!
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Grateful. Thankful. Blessed.
GreatfulMoments.com
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
