Lifestyle blogger and Target partner Camila Alves is inspired by her biggest role: mommyhood. The 34-year-old Brazilian mother-of-three loves sharing her passion for parenting, cooking and DIY ideas on her site, Women of Today. We chatted with her exclusively about the challenges of raising bilingual kids, the best tips to do so, and how to decorate celeb-worthy rooms for kids without breaking the bank.
Read more ¿Qué más?: 10 Ideas to decorate your child's room so it looks celeb-worthy on a budget
Image via Target
Keep nursery decor simple
"When I had my kids, I kept their room decor very basic and simple. I think it's better to approach it with the basics first because you spend less money and once you do it up you'll have the decor for a longer period of time. For instance, my daughter [Vida] loves anything that sparkles and colorful prints too. Now her room is so different compared to when she was a baby."
Incorporate their personalities as they grow
"First I think about the bigger pieces, then you work around that. The best way to create a room that reflects their personalities is by using accessories like the bed sheets, wall art and throw pillows. The key is that these pieces are also easier to remove when you need to or when their taste changes! My daughter will tell me, 'Mom, I'm really not into that anymore. I love aqua!' So then I know I can make little changes to go with what she likes."
Use the basics to reflect their individual tastes
"I think it's better to approach it with the basics first because you spend less money and once you do it up you'll have the decor for a longer period of time. That's why it's so cool to see collections like [Pillowfort] because it ranges from infant years to older kids. This way the decor grows with the room and your child and I think that's important."
On raising kids bilingual
"It's so hard if you don't have a support group. In the beginning, my mom was with us and it was easier because we spoke Portuguese all of the time. She's not here anymore, so it's a bit more of a challenge to remind myself to speak Portuguese to them. I've been playing Brazilian music in the house, and suddenly I'll start hearing them humming and singing in Portuguese. I also play Brazilian educational cartoons for them."
On passing down cultural traditions
"I always have a pot of beans in the house. I also try to keep up the traditions of prayer and asking for blessings, which is very Brazilian. So they ask for blessings from people who are older than them. For me, it's about the little things without really forcing it so they feel like they want to be a part of it and learn."
