Charles' Observation...

 Bad writers tend to have the self-confidence, while the good ones tend to have self-doubt. ~ Charles Bukowski

My brother is a writer. The kind of writer that can craft a story that makes his reader look really awkward sitting by herself in a quiet coffee shop. Because laughing out loud repeatedly is awkward when one is in public, yet alone.

My husband is a talented and artistic musician, an out-of-the-box kind of guy. He can create beautiful sounds with his guitar and join into a song with almost any instrument or thing lying around.

Both of these artists don't claim artistry. They demur. Because old Charles is so very, very correct.

Just a Sunday morning thought...

XOXO ~ Julie

How to Get Out of Doing One's Chores: Lego Stop Animation

How can a mom steeped in creativity stop the creative process in her child to enforce the 'unload the dishwasher' edict? Arrg. She can't! That is what my kids know about me. :) 

(Honestly, that is what Eppie's kids know about her, too! -Sorry, Epp, secret's out.)

Also: Tell me that a free app is 'cute, creative, adorable, educational, etc.'. -Sure you can get it!

-No, you cannot get the one where you are a contract killer. 

That one always goes last, when I am in the adorable/ educational/ my kids must want to be brilliant app haze. -Sorry, it won't work, boys.

So, while not unloading the dishwasher is very naughty, this beautiful paper towel/watercolor background and intriguing storyline saved her and her phone from getting a grounding. Because she needed it to film the Lego stop animation adventure movie, you know?

Kidding aside, Eppie and I are willingly used thusly by our children because we believe that the celebration of creativity in kids leads to creative thinking (hello, paper sculpture while one should be cleaning the table!). 

Somehow our houses are no messier than other moms' that have children home all day, every day, thank goodness... It probably takes us longer to get them clean, though :). 

I can't wait for the sequel to this Lego underwater adventure. It is scheduled to be filmed when we are supposed to be folding the clothes.

Creative Living... Only for Artists?

What do you think about when you hear the word creative?  Do you immediately think about your friend that paints those terrific landscapes, or your nephew who doodles around the margins of his schoolwork.  Creativity is, naturally, often associated with the Arts but did you know anybody and everybody is creative to some extent?  Creativity is not the talent to execute some artistic skill (and we will use this term to include all of the Arts)  but a thought process.  Artistic talent is simply a tool to express creativity... and it is only one in a plethora!  Creativity is displayed in a myriad of fashions.  It can be used to create something entirely original and unique, put to work in the use of an old concept in new context or called upon to adapt an already existing idea into something a little more relevant.  It can be summoned out of boredom, necessity, or simply for the sake of expression.  There is really no way to explain in one paragraph all of creativity's many facets...

Children are naturally masters of creativity.  They do not automatically have a set vision of how the world should be.  They explore their way through each day and learn through stretching themselves out into their environments, reaching further where they are not impeded and withdrawing where they find it is too difficult to proceed.  Parents can help their children discover paths to creativity in many different ways.  We thought you might be interested in a few of the things that we have discovered to be great creativity builders and avenues to creative living. (...not in any particular order.)



1.  Let your children be bored.  We know, this is a pain in the neck but forcing your child to think, dream, and invent ways to entertain themselves will help your child develop thought patterns that will improve the quality of his or her life.

photo by Jakob Bailey

photo by Jakob Bailey

2.  Raise readers!  Reading encourages children to think in many different ways and many hours of creative play can be invented around the contents of one book!











3.  Encourage your children to play.  Creative play is an excellent platform for learning and vital in the development of healthy, happy, children.

4.  Hold off critiquing the 'artwork' or 'artistic expressions' of younger children (preadolescence).  Have your children explain their work to you instead of guessing what they are showing you.  Point out concepts that your child has executed correctly, not what he or she has done wrong.  Ex: Wow, your drawing is perfectly balanced!  How did you think to add that bird up there?  You did a great job of filling up your whole page and I love your use of contrasting colors! :)

5.  Be creative yourself!  Come on, we know you've got it in you!  Think of a dinner that your family loves and present it in a new way...  Think of a fun car game and change one thing about it...  Wear an article of clothing in a way it was not intended to be worn...  Write a poem, choose new colors for your washroom, draw something...  Anything that gives birth to new thought will do!  Creativity breeds creativity!