Parenting and Kid Creativity Resources

Topic of the week

Creativity

The ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, 
or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, 
forms, methods, interpretations, etc.

Welcome to the long awaited resource post. LOL that is probably not true. I'm just the one creating personal pressure and deadlines! (See my Everyday Bliss post on The Insanity of Pressure to understand more of what I am talking about here.) You see I really like the idea of delivering a "resource post" on each of my weekly topics but I just haven't figured out when I will write such a thing! At this point it looks like Thursdays may be a better fir for my schedule so that is what you can look for going forward.  

The resource linky, in which you are encouraged to post your contributions to the weekly topic, if you wish to play along, will always be in my side bar at the beginning of he week. Once again I will mention that this resource collection (at least I am hopeful they will eventually become a large collection!) will be put in a Resource Library so we can all have ongoing access to great inspiration and advice when we want it! 

In my weekly Resource Post I plan to get the ball rolling on the topic, in no way do expect what I offer to be a definitive guide. This whole Parenting virtue project is an ongoing process and I am designing it as a way to get myself, and those who wish to play along, a regular prompt for the consideration and discussion of the virtues. The whole thing is a lot more fun if others want to play along so please jump in and participate! 

Today I am going to talk about Creativity in terms of two things. The first, and possibly more obvious aspect is "Kid Creativity" these are resources about fun activities to do with your kids, crafts, all sorts of things that make it fun and /or easy for parents to foster creativity in their children. The second area of Creativity has to do with raw parenting creativity. You know, a new way of looking at old concerns or even just a new way of doing something that will add some extra enjoyment to your family life. 

On the topic of Kid Creativity 

Do not be afraid to use ALL the supplies! This is one I just learned for myself this week. I have always had this phobia about wrecking the pristine newness of my art supplies. In fact, during Junior high school I begged my parents for an oil paint set and was finally delighted when I received one for Christmas. That box remained untouched until I offered it to our family's exchange student in my Senior year of high school. You see I was enamored of the potential those paints represented and I didn't want to ruin that potential with "inferior work." You don't even have to tell me, I understand how limiting this whole issue was for me and because of this I want to be certain my daughter doesn't grow up with the same affliction. Sure I may wince when the crayons are broken the first day out of the box but I am letting go...

Don't feel compelled to give directions. This perhaps is an addendum to the idea above. I do think it is important for kids to learn how to follow directions but don't always dole out supplies with the idea of netting an exact outcome. I conducted my own experiment in this yesterday and opened up all of our craft supplies. Different kinds of paints, papers, glue, feathers, glitter, stickers, beads, pipe cleaners... really everything we have! And then I let Sweets direct the activity. She asked me to make some origami people and whales to decorate but beyond that she directed all the action. She created "Night time" on the garage door with a moon stars and other planets and things. The girl also came up with the idea of making a magazine and spent a good hour taping pages of paper together and the decorating the pictures and writing the letters of the alphabet. I offered NOTHING for either of these projects. When she asked for help cutting things round or instruction on writing the letter M of course I obliged but it was so much fun seeing what she thought up. We ended our crafty day painting each other and then showering together. It was a total blast.

Bookmark The Crafty Crow - I have NEVER been disappointed with any of the thousands of great kid friendly ideas that have been suggested on this site. If you have never been there head over immediately! There are activities based on age, season whatever and the blog is fun too. It is my number one go to spot when I'm stumped about what to do with Sweets.

On the topic of Parenting Creativity

Invent a fall guy! Actually this advice would be more aptly titled Go with the oddball flow when needed, which in my case was the invention of Sweet's un-potty pal and fall guy, Fred. (Go to this post to read the particulars of how this all started)  Now I don't think this is a wise tactic in every situation but it speaks to going with what works with a particular child. My girl can be very stubborn and one day out of frustration I called her Fred instead of her real name, citing that "My girl" would never do such a thing so this must be Fred. I said it in a very matter of fact way and was totally messing around, trying not to overreact to the pee puddle on the family room rug and for what ever reason this was the turning point in the potty game. My girl did not want to be a Fred, she wanted to be a Sweets and since Sweets use the potty that was what she would do. Here I sit, six weeks later with barely an accident (the two that were happened at night) and a full pack of unused diapers in the closet. I thought she might be wearing them to kindergarten she seemed so entrenched.

Sqidoo's Creative Parenting link- The first in my Linky Library this site offers a couple of ideas on creative ways to handle things like being afraid of thunder and using song to encourage tooth brushing. Limited volume but a quick read with a few good ideas!

Now it is your turn! Here's the Parenting Creativity Linky. Please go ahead and add any of your posts which you think will speak to this topic. I can't wait to hear what you have to say!

Next Post: Friday Fragments

My Thirteen Virtues of Great Parenting are:

Fun, Discipline, Creativity, Love, Wonder, Listening, Curiosity,Compassion, 

Trust, Acceptance, Empowerment, Humility and Flexibility

This week is all about Creativity. Next week 's topic is Love.