Help For The Non-Crafty Mom

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I have never been an artistic or crafty person. I remember trying to sketch, paint or complete an art project in class and thinking it was good – until I looked around saw what my classmates did. I eventually accepted that art was not one of my talents and moved on with my life. After I had my little one, I learned how arts and crafts activities help with a child’s development. Since I’m not crafty at all, I was a little concerned.  I really think there should have been a chapter about this in my pregnancy book so I could have tried to prepare myself.  For the sake of my child, I knew I would need help in this area, and fortunately there is plenty available.

 

Help For The Non-Crafty Mom | East Valley Moms Blog - Talaya Russell

 

CRAFT STORES

I’ve discovered that these stores carry craft kits that include all the supplies for a particular project. Plus, they often have classes for kids where they can make age appropriate projects. We’ve had a lot of fun at these classes, and the instructor has always been willing to guide us through the process. Best of all, I didn’t have to worry about cleaning up the mess afterwards.

LOCAL LOVE

Free or reasonably priced arts classes can also be found at your local library or parks & recreation department. Literacy activities take place at the library each month and they usually involve crafts, plus there are various arts & crafts events for every age group. During the summer, my daughter and I took a parks & recreation art class together, and it was great to try different forms of art and work with new materials. We created enough pieces to have a little exhibition at our home, and also made some wonderful memories.

MUSEUMS

Museums – particularly ones for children – usually have an area where kids can complete arts & crafts. The projects reinforce what is being taught in the exhibition, so the craft is fun and educational. I recommend visiting the other areas of the museum first so that you won’t have to carry your child’s masterpiece through the museum. I’m partial to the i.d.e.a. Museum, because in addition to their awesome exhibits, we always leave with something cool that my daughter has made.

Of course, there are also many arts & crafts projects available online, but it’s easy to get intimidated or overwhelmed. I’ve seen some children’s projects that I probably couldn’t complete, so I would suggest starting with a few projects appropriate for your child’s age and your level of comfort. What you think is a Pinterest fail may be a masterpiece to your child.

It was great to discover all these resources, but most importantly, I realized that I was being too hard on myself. I got all stressed out for nothing – all I need is some play dough, paper, crayons or paint, and my daughter’s natural creativity takes care of the rest.  I don’t have to be a great artist for my child to reap the benefits of arts & crafts activities. The positive results come from the experience, not just the final product. Even if something looks a mess to me, it is beautiful to her, and I’ve learned that beautiful messes are wonderful.  

I may never become a crafty mom, and that’s okay. It’s not about me – it’s about encouraging my child to be creative. By taking advantage of the help that is available, I can relax and be confident enough to simply guide the artistic process and enjoy viewing the masterpieces.

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