URBAN AT HOME
One of my favorite sources of the random and eclectic (other than second hand obviously) is Urban Outfitters. First, its close. That helps. Second, the prices (for things other than clothes) aren’t as outrageous as they can tend to be in similar type stores. Typically, the things I buy from stores like this will end up placed on shelves well off the ground, on walls, or in other locations specifically out of the reach of small arms. But things from Urban do just fine living in the 3-4 ft. high range, an area of our home dominated by tiny energetic females.
Floor cushions are fantastic. Our kids love to sit on the floor to play, read, watch TV, or do most anything. That means I also spend a great deal of time on the floor, despite the comfort of our couch. A short stack of cushions nearby is a very useful idea.
I love the padded storage benches. What a brilliant solution for our children’s foreheads. The toy box is a necessity for us, but also a popular source for head wounds. I am sure other parents have trained their children to walk slowly and gracefully throughout the home. Our daughters seem to always be late for something and so prefer to enter any given room at a dead sprint. This is only a problem because their upper halves have a tendency to outrun their lower halves and they end up head first into things at their destination points. A padded storage bench would be a wonderful solution for my top heavy children. It comes in many other colors and finishes, check online to see what is available.
Another good idea is couches with no arm rests. Or arms high enough that a toddler who prefers to stand on, and fall off, of everything wont pitch backwards over them. I have found our preference is for the lack of arms. This reduces the temptation to hang over, or climb up the sides of couches.
Finally, some of the DIY/Desktop items, such as the All Out Of and Cook This tablets are as helpful as they are fun to use.
