Toddler art
I really loved reading The Creative Family by Amanda Soule. She says a lot of inspiring things (and gives lots of inspiring ideas!) on how to live more creatively, more artistically, and therefore, more joyfully as a family.
Many of the ideas were really just affirmations of things I already think, but really, sometimes, we need to be re-affirmed in our thinking.
One of my favourite things she points out is that in order to spend time being creative with our children, we need to make time for it. We schedule in doctor's appointments, meals (obviously), sleep, prayer, exercise, outdoor time.
But we also need to make things. Beautiful things. Simple things. No-pressure-if-you-can't-do-it-perfectly things. And in the busy life of parenting, homemaking and trying to get some freelance work in while I'm at it, it's good to remind myself to make time for beauty!
Today my kitchen was torn asunder. Again. The load of laundry I had just washed and dryed was not putting itself away, stubborn little imp. And Noah clearly wanted some attention.
I looked around at the chaos, took a deep breath and reminded myself that I am not a 'housewife'. I'm a homemaker. And Noah is an integral part of our home! He deserves my heart, my attention, and yes, my willingness to make messes with him.
We're all called to serve people, not things. A house is a thing.*
So I decided today would be the day I actually introduce Noah to "doing art". I took out an old shirt of Patrick's, cut off the hem and the sleeves (I was planning on using the fabric for something else anyway), buttoned it up down the back on my little dearie, and set him up at his table.
He really was delighted by the experience. I could see him simultaneously mesmerized and proud of himself.
And I was so proud of him!
Did it help clean up my house? Absolutely not. It created another mess, actually. But that was a snap to clean up, as Noah likes to wipe floors and table tops with wet cloths. It's a game to him.
More importantly, It made him happy though. Very happy indeed, which made putting him down for a nap not such a time-consuming work or struggle.
And guess what? I cleaned my kitchen during that nap. God helped me see the priorities I needed to set, and then gave me the grace to do the other stuff, too.
*A lovely friend of my just posted on something somewhat similar on her blog, and my heart was STRUCK by something she said. I hope she won't mind me including it here, as I think it may inspire others, too.
"You are not your house." You are, however, your child's parent.
Many of the ideas were really just affirmations of things I already think, but really, sometimes, we need to be re-affirmed in our thinking.
One of my favourite things she points out is that in order to spend time being creative with our children, we need to make time for it. We schedule in doctor's appointments, meals (obviously), sleep, prayer, exercise, outdoor time.
But we also need to make things. Beautiful things. Simple things. No-pressure-if-you-can't-do-it-perfectly things. And in the busy life of parenting, homemaking and trying to get some freelance work in while I'm at it, it's good to remind myself to make time for beauty!
Today my kitchen was torn asunder. Again. The load of laundry I had just washed and dryed was not putting itself away, stubborn little imp. And Noah clearly wanted some attention.
I looked around at the chaos, took a deep breath and reminded myself that I am not a 'housewife'. I'm a homemaker. And Noah is an integral part of our home! He deserves my heart, my attention, and yes, my willingness to make messes with him.
We're all called to serve people, not things. A house is a thing.*
So I decided today would be the day I actually introduce Noah to "doing art". I took out an old shirt of Patrick's, cut off the hem and the sleeves (I was planning on using the fabric for something else anyway), buttoned it up down the back on my little dearie, and set him up at his table.
He really was delighted by the experience. I could see him simultaneously mesmerized and proud of himself.
And I was so proud of him!
Did it help clean up my house? Absolutely not. It created another mess, actually. But that was a snap to clean up, as Noah likes to wipe floors and table tops with wet cloths. It's a game to him.
More importantly, It made him happy though. Very happy indeed, which made putting him down for a nap not such a time-consuming work or struggle.
And guess what? I cleaned my kitchen during that nap. God helped me see the priorities I needed to set, and then gave me the grace to do the other stuff, too.
*A lovely friend of my just posted on something somewhat similar on her blog, and my heart was STRUCK by something she said. I hope she won't mind me including it here, as I think it may inspire others, too.
"You are not your house." You are, however, your child's parent.
Hooray for Noah! It looks like he enjoyed his first time painting immensely..cute little fellow :) You are very right about a house being a thing, and therefore needs to come second to the people in our homes!
ReplyDeleteLove this! We finger paint around here with lots of things: yogurt, melted juice popsicles, ketchup etc. High chairs make great places for this too, but then you can't keep the art for posterity. You are such a good mama Jenna and I just want to keep encouraging you to enjoy your little guy, have fun and don't sweat those eternal messes. When Noah grows up he won't remember if his mama kept the house immaculate. He'll remember if his mama was happy and joy-filled. Let them do art! Even if drives you a little crazy...
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