This week, my 5-year-old son, Leo, and I decided to dive into some arts and crafts, which he humorously calls “arts and craps.” I’ve decided not to correct him because it perfectly captures my feelings about these activities. Leo expressed a desire to create a snowman, but after countless snowmen this winter, I suggested we switch things up with a Valentine’s Day project.
“How about we draw and cut out a big heart?” I proposed. “Then we can decorate it!” It may not be the most Pinterest-worthy idea, but he’s only 5, after all.
“Okaaaaay,” he replied slowly, grabbing the marker I handed him.
“Just try to make the heart big enough so we can cut it out and have room for decorations,” I encouraged.
“Mmhmm,” he nodded, his tongue sticking out in concentration as he got to work. However, what he produced on the construction paper resembled more of a wilted flower than a heart.
“Oh dear, do you need some help drawing a heart?” I asked, thinking I could guide him through it (famous last words). I attempted to draw dashed lines for him to connect, guided his hand repeatedly, and even tried drawing the heart for him to trace. After 20 minutes and a mountain of failed attempts, I began to hear the various Mom Voices inside my head—the chorus of thoughts that arise when you’re struggling to teach your child something new.
The Frustrated Mom voice shouted, “Why can’t he get this? He’s failing at arts and craps!” Then the Guilt-ridden Mom chimed in, “This is all my fault. I should be doing more with him!” The Exhausted Mom was practically begging for a break, whispering, “Can’t we just watch TV instead?” The Cheerleader Mom piped up, urging, “If you can’t do it, no one can!” Meanwhile, the Wine-loving Mom glanced at the clock, wondering if it was too early for a glass of wine. The Dramatized Mom was in tears, lamenting, “I can’t even teach my child to draw a heart! What’s next?” Finally, the Blamer Mom pointed fingers, saying, “What are those kindergarten teachers doing?”
Amidst all this chaos, the Creative Mom finally broke through, suggesting to Leo, “Why don’t you try drawing an uppercase ‘V’? Perfect! Now, just make two little peaks at the top of the ‘V.’ That’s it! You did it, my love! You drew a heart!”
And he did! Leo successfully drew a heart, but by that point, he was too drained to continue the craft. I, on the other hand, was relieved—I was already late for my date with my beloved Chardonnay.
If you’re interested in more helpful tips about home insemination or parenting, check out some of our other posts, like this one on intracervical insemination. For a comprehensive guide on pregnancy, visit CDC’s pregnancy resource. And for those looking for reliable home insemination kits, you can find valuable information at Make a Mom.
In summary, navigating parenting can sometimes be a challenge, especially when it comes to creative activities. But with a little patience and a dash of creativity, even the toughest moments can turn into memorable experiences.