When I set out to explain why we can’t or mustn’t do some activity to my young off-spring playmates, I have too often foundered on the rocks of the rejoinder “it’s only pretend, Grampy!”
I fear it took me far longer to recognize the sheer joy of process and ignore the ultimate product. I admire your early recognition of that magic. Also, I fear that too early I came to hear “potential” as that thing I had too often not fulfilled thereby diluting most of the joy you have most robustly found within it. Kudos to you for illustrating the possibility for advancement of the species!
Reading your blog always leaves me in awe of how you and your husband have fully embraced your roles as parents to these free spirited kids. This one made me think of when my kids went to Montessori preschool. At dismissal, there was a basket with the paintings the kids had done during the day. The parents were asked not to remind the kids to get their artwork because for the kids it was about the process, the act of creating the art, rather than the finished product.
Thanks for this, Katherine. I don’t know if “embraced” is as accurate as “been coerced by terror and exhaustion” but the end result has been yes an embracing sort of thing. There aren’t many options with these particular children 😂
I’ll take this opportunity to say that none of what shows up here is premeditated; in no story am I enacting a chosen philosophy. It’s very much after the fact that I try to pick up the pieces and find what is good inside it. I very much hope this does not inflate my representation of what skill I have. Truly in the moment it feels like little other than helpless exhaustion. Later I mine it for possibility so I will not expire next to the unfolded laundry.
I love this. And also, can we have a camper van photo? Or maybe hold that thought -- the camper van in my imagination is taking inspiration from the real thing that lives in the imagination of your children. That will more than suffice.
When I set out to explain why we can’t or mustn’t do some activity to my young off-spring playmates, I have too often foundered on the rocks of the rejoinder “it’s only pretend, Grampy!”
I fear it took me far longer to recognize the sheer joy of process and ignore the ultimate product. I admire your early recognition of that magic. Also, I fear that too early I came to hear “potential” as that thing I had too often not fulfilled thereby diluting most of the joy you have most robustly found within it. Kudos to you for illustrating the possibility for advancement of the species!
Reading your blog always leaves me in awe of how you and your husband have fully embraced your roles as parents to these free spirited kids. This one made me think of when my kids went to Montessori preschool. At dismissal, there was a basket with the paintings the kids had done during the day. The parents were asked not to remind the kids to get their artwork because for the kids it was about the process, the act of creating the art, rather than the finished product.
Thanks for this, Katherine. I don’t know if “embraced” is as accurate as “been coerced by terror and exhaustion” but the end result has been yes an embracing sort of thing. There aren’t many options with these particular children 😂
I’ll take this opportunity to say that none of what shows up here is premeditated; in no story am I enacting a chosen philosophy. It’s very much after the fact that I try to pick up the pieces and find what is good inside it. I very much hope this does not inflate my representation of what skill I have. Truly in the moment it feels like little other than helpless exhaustion. Later I mine it for possibility so I will not expire next to the unfolded laundry.
And sorry I spelled your name wrong initially! I was influenced by the C from your last name.
I love this. And also, can we have a camper van photo? Or maybe hold that thought -- the camper van in my imagination is taking inspiration from the real thing that lives in the imagination of your children. That will more than suffice.