During a recent visit to my 3-year-old’s preschool, I was greeted by a vibrant collection of my child’s artwork. The teacher beamed with pride as she presented a stack of colorful scribbles and paint splatters. I managed to suppress a sigh as I accepted the papers with a polite smile, all the while planning to dispose of the entire collection as soon as I was home.
Does this make me a bad parent? Absolutely not—just a practical one.
Preschool educators diligently send home every piece of paper that my child has touched, showcasing their creative endeavors. I often wish I could tell them, “You don’t need to go through all that trouble. I send my child to you for three hours so I can have some peace and quiet. They can be wrestling on the playground for all I care, as long as I can shop and exercise without interruptions.” Frankly, I see little artistry in most of it—what even is this?
Or take this charming piece titled “Patrick’s Egg Painting.” Is it meant to represent an egg? Was it created using an egg? Is there any egg-related concept here whatsoever?
Then there are the projects where teachers lend a helping hand. It’s absurd to think my 3-year-old, who struggles to use scissors, has expertly crafted these star shapes and attached them with tape. The last time he got his hands on tape, it took me an eternity to untangle it from his hair!
And honestly, do we need a rocket ship shaped like a phallus displayed on our refrigerator?
I have saved a small box of significant items for each of my children. This is just enough to ensure that if a documentary team ever needs background footage for my future politician—or perhaps a notorious figure—I can appear as the supportive mother I may not always feel like. I do cherish the handmade Christmas ornaments and handprint crafts on Mother’s Day, but the majority of their artwork goes straight into the garbage. My son, Patrick, certainly doesn’t mind. When I recently held up a paint smear and asked him about it, he gave me a blank stare and returned to playing with his monster trucks.
Now that my daughter, Olivia, is older, I have to approach her creations with more sensitivity. Thankfully, her subjects are more identifiable. I offer her the appropriate praise and then tuck her artwork away in a cabinet where it eventually gets forgotten. When that cabinet looks like a scene from a hoarding show, I discreetly dispose of the contents while she is at school.
There have been instances when she has discovered her artwork in the trash and started to cry. I calmly explained, “Sweetheart, you are a talented artist, but I can’t keep everything you create. I want you to assess your work and decide if it’s truly your best. If it is, I will display it; if not, it needs to go so you can create something new.” After some thought, she often agrees that her piece isn’t her best and willingly tosses it away.
To validate her best efforts, I’ve created a designated wall to showcase her most impressive pieces. We are currently interpreting “impressive” quite liberally with my son, so as not to overwhelm his future therapist right away.
Remember, as skilled as your little artists may seem now, in 15 years, you may find yourself questioning what that piece was and why it continues to occupy space in your home!
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Summary:
Managing the influx of children’s artwork can be a daunting task for parents. While it’s important to celebrate creativity, practicality often prevails as parents navigate what to keep and what to discard. By setting boundaries and creating designated spaces for showcasing their best work, parents can maintain a balance between honoring their child’s artistic endeavors and keeping their homes clutter-free.