Comments on: Kelly: Let the Crap Go

By: Alyice

Alyice — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 23:21:04 +0000

Oh Livvie, I can so relate! I am not sure where you were going with your painting, and I know art is very subjective–that means that we all see different things in different people’s paintings.

Your abstract piece reminds me of the circus and oh, the circus is so much fun! When I look at your painting, I am transported back to a time of laughter, bright colors, and exciting entertainment. When I look at your painting, I see an elephant with a heart encompassing the head, and a trunk just exiting the heart. And the background reminds me of a circus tent. And the heart, oh that heart tells me that the elephant just LOVES to perform for the children, for he loves to make them happy.

Keep painting dear one. I think you have a talent just waiting to grab hold of the world. Enjoy the process, don’t worry about being perfect. Nobody is perfect. And sometimes, the mistakes are the MOST BEAUTIFUL pieces of all.

Alyice,
Editor, Writer, Artist.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:51:29 +0000

Things everyone. I’ve been out of town since Thursday afternoon, so I’m back to playing catch up again. DH usually does try the homework right after school thing since he gets home with them about 4pm. Though now that their teacher has suggested we split them up for homework time, that’ll be the juggle. We’re going to try encouraging one to go play independently while one of us works with the other and then switch out. It’s a learning process for all of us !

By: Miranda

Miranda — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 12:04:11 +0000

Such an important reminder, Kelly. Brings to mind this video from Elizabeth Gilbert, which I blogged about earlier this year: “Relieving Yourself of Genius” http://creativeconstruction.wordpress.com/2009/02/24/relieving-yourself-of-genius/

So interesting that little Livvie feels the pressure so intensely. Kids are all so different, aren’t they? It sounds like you were able to turn the situation into an affirming experience for her.

By: cathy

cathy — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:29:15 +0000

each kid is different. s needs transitional down time after school and does homework after dinner.

By: Lisa Damian

Lisa Damian — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 23:28:29 +0000

My oldest (six-year-old) daughter and I both have those perfectionist expectations in ourselves too and have to constantly battle them. My youngest (three-year-old) daughter is able to let things go a little bit more and revel in the messy unexpected, which I love about her, even if I struggle with it myself.

Cathy, we figured out the same thing with homework. Right after school works best. Otherwise, it takes five times as long and usually ends in tears. Being tired seems to add to the stress. If she’s fresh and feels like she has time though, it’s a breeze.

By: cathy

cathy — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:39:11 +0000

poor livvie! i kow just how she feels. i still struggle with the perfectionist that lives within, but it doesn’t dictate to my productivity, or lack thereof anymore. it is usually the culprit in my lack of productivity.

livvie, your canvas is BEAUTIFUL! and it’s so much more fun to play, isn’t it?

s has struggled with other aspects of school to a great extent, and that is what affects his academic success. he has an amazing talent for memorization and recitation, which helps for a lot of the standardized tests. he scores high when he can focus on what ‘they’ want him to rather than whatever is foremost in his mind. i’m sure livvie will be very successful in school, when she doesn’t feel pressure from others and is able to let go of pressuring herself. it’s really amazing what kids can do when they give themselves a chance.

k used to have horrendous anxiety episodes over homework when he was livvie’s age. hours of crying and yelling rather than 30 min of work. by second grade, i finally figured out that if he got it done as soon as he got home, he didn’t fear not finishing after dinner. it also helped if i let him do it independently, mistakes and all, rather than do the parental hover and fix suggestions.

good luck, kelly, that expectation voice can be a real beast.