Creativity & Parenting

I was asked to speak about ‘creativity and parenting.’ Hard to put it into a few sentences, but here’s what I came up with:

“Creativity & parenting. Learning to enjoy the journey (process) and not necessarily the destination (product).”

Here are the topics, questions, and resources shared:

Questions:
- What were you like as a little girl?
- What are some creative adventures/ crafts/ supplies/ books/ podcasts you like to use with your kids? (not all in one per se, but just a prompt if it makes sense in the conversations)
- What is your reaction when you hear the word creative?

General Thoughts to Share:
- “Be Gentle to yourself” - a mantra my friend, GayeNoelle, shared in a past mothers group. I hear myself saying this a lot in low points of the day.
- “Creating spheres for your children” - the thought that we are all creative in being parents in general, a takeaway I got from Nina Dewees.
- A personal ‘creative mom’ anecdote that led to permanent paint on many of my walls…ask me about it next time you see me. :)
- My own personal creative journey that didn’t arise until my adulthood. I’m in a constant internal battle with myself of nurturing creativity with my kids because I stifled my own creativity as a child (not being able to use a set of new colored pencils, telling myself I would save it for the right project.)

BOOKS
The Artists Way for Parents by Julia Cameron
The Artists Way by Julia Cameron
- Roots, Boots, Bucket & Shoots

PODCASTS
Craft a Life you Love Podcast - Kristy Rice Episode - her message about “joy vs happiness” was very powerful!
Heroine Podcast (fave episodes: Roz Savage, Jen Sincero, Ruby Warrington)

Craft companies:
MyKidsArtBox

Favorite craft supplies:
Posca Pens

Craft supply ideas:
-Toilet paper rolls