Before I became a parent I knew I would have to teach my kids, that they would learn from me and Mr Mac. I was slightly worried about it - who wouldn't be - it's a lot of responsibility.
What I didn't realise was that while I would be a teacher, I would also be the student.
Bug, Bean + I often spend some quiet time in the mornings sketching + colouring - a new practice that I absolutely adore.
But often Bean will come to me frustrated, crying + desperately unhappy because she couldn't draw something 'good' enough.
I say to her (after years of telling myself the same thing) it is good, it is perfect + I love the way you draw.
She will often have a meltdown, screaming, crying 'I can't do it!'
I hate it, it breaks my heart. Breaks. It.
Cause I know how she feels. I know how frustrated + angry + sad she is.
But I also know that if I don't gently encourage her to do it herself, she may end up never pushing through the wall.
By being gentle, but firm, by showing her some techniques, some different ways to draw something, eventually she draws her picture + the joy + excitement on her face is one of the best parts of my day.
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| Her drawings which she wants me to frame cause she loves them so much. |
So my take away from this moment with my four + a half (going on sixteen) Bean, is this.
Push through.
When you feel sad, or frustrated or want to have a arm + leg throwing tantie on the floor, because the painting isn't working, because the weight isn't falling off, because the job isn't going well, or just because - push through.
If you do, I bet your joy, your pride, you sense of accomplishment will be one of the best moments of your day.
Have you had to push through a block lately? I would love to hear your stories, please feel free to share below.
By the way - did you know that this months give away is open for entries? It is totally free + so easy to enter. Why not pop over + see whats for grabs this month?? [You only have til Thursday to enter]
I have the same thing with my 6 years old perfectionist. But she learns to cope with it.
ReplyDeleteThe most important block I have to push through is not making any progress with what I would like to do and not knowing how to do it. It is really sending me on the floor to have a nice old tandrum.
But I go on trying, hoping I'll find a way.
Have a great week, Efi
These drawings are wonderful, so please tell your four + a half year old that people are very pleased to see them :)
ReplyDeleteSuch good advice, Kirstin. It seems I am constantly having to push through one thing or another. It's almost always tempting to avoid the hard stuff but that really keeps you stuck. Have you read The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. He talks a lot about resistance and teeth the necessity of pushing through it. It's a great read.
ReplyDeleteLove your daughters drawings.... they made me smile.
ReplyDeleteI'm not very good about pushing through.... I tend to start something else but I'm working on it!
Karen x