Spring-time bocce ball!
We're spending some time on the subject of sisterhood here at PS. This week, we jumped over to the adorable Sacramento craftsman that belongs to Olga and her family and spent a little time with her two girls. Click for the sweet tour as we poke around her home and ask about shared spaces and keeping harmony. Welcome to the #Boburbswest, as photographed by guest-photgrapher, Megan Rolleri.
Olga lets us in her little craftsman in the picturesque neighborhood of East Sacramento.
A friendly clementine-shade on the door!
Eva (10yrs) and Tessa (7yrs)
On SHARING: "Teaching the girls empathy has really helped us solve conflicts and encourage them to chose sharing. It's an ongoing process, I assure you... but saying something like 'how do you think your sister feels/ how would you feel if this exact thing was happening to you?' has been monumental in shifting their responses toward each other. Often when they come tattle taling I ask how they can be a problem solver instead of a problem maker in this situation?"
Tidy craftsman built-ins and french doors open up to the backyard.
Framed family photos.
"I grew up sharing a room with both of my sisters so when I was pregnant again and we found out we are having another girl their fate was sealed."
"We moved Tessa into Eva's room pretty early on (she was about a month and a half) and I have to say we have had a pretty smooth ride so far. Eva being a typical older sibling still dreams of having her own room sometimes, but I am glad our little house forces us to interact and kind of be in each other's space."
"I like to remind both of them that your immediate family are the people you get to practice on becoming a better version of yourself, so even when they are having a conflict it's an opportunity for them to learn empathy, consideration, and compromise. Sharing a room allows them to get a lot of experience with that!"
Olga shares some tips on ROOM-SHARING:
-Create individual spaces within their room. It's such an important part of development for kids to have their own designated space, it takes a little more creativity when the room is shared but can definitely be done.
-We have the girls tidy up their room every night. It usually only takes them a few minutes to put things back where they belong before they get to their bedtime routine but keeps their room from getting out of control messy.
-Encourage them to have other favorite spots in the house.you will often find Eva or Tessa reading or playing in the living room when they need some space from one another.
We love the girls mood board with bits and pieces from their travels and favorite places like the Crocker Art Museum.
A peaceful corner in Olga and her husband's room.
Sometimes Mama needs a break! Olga's impressive wardrobe provides a stylish escape for dress-up and ME-TIME!
A killer Rachel Comey romper keeps good company amongst many of Olga's sample sale + thrift scores.
Vintage family photo displays her Russian heritage (originally from Saint Petersburg) next to pretty jewels and oils.
Olga's shoe collection goes on and on ...
Olga's hope for the girls in the future:
"I hope that once they are grown and have left the nest, they always get excited and look forward to coming home for the holidays!"