Creating memories, not things – day 9 of happiness month

little-miss-and-mrs-green

Welcome to the August Carnival of Natural Parenting: Creating With Kids

This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama. This month our participants have shared how they make messes and masterpieces with children. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.

***


I’m using this post for day 9 of happiness month – you’ll see why when you read through!

Little Miss Green is now ten and values her independence.

She’s at a stage where she prefers to do her own thing, safe in the knowledge that I’m nearby to celebrate, commiserate, offer guidance and provide endless food and clean laundry.
Opportunities for ‘creating together’ are infrequent because she has chosen to go to school and at the weekend she likes downtime in order to recharge her batteries and filter the week’s activities. Yet our relationship ebbs, flows, yields and creates itself as we evolve through life together. It is a moving meditation: like water it flows, like the earth it is nurturing, like fire it transforms and like the air I breathe it keeps me alive.

I miss our sacred time together of modelling with beeswax, kneading bread or planting potatoes in the soil while she sits close beside me. But intertwined in the rich tapestry of our family dynamic are the joyful moments where a small pair of hands can resist the urge no longer and delve into the bread dough along with mine. For a few minutes our four hands become one soul, bound by love. At other times these same small hands reach lovingly into the soil alongside mine, digging for potatoes, pulling up carrots or nibbling herbs and the look of pure joy on her face melts my heart. There are moments when a request to sit down together to draw or paint break me joyfully away from the routine of housework. Or she sits like a cat, curled up in my lap demanding a story – not from a book but from my imagination: stories that heal, reassure, remind us of the wonder of life or take us on adventures to OtherWorlds.

It is during these times that we ‘create together’. It isn’t about the painting, the papier-mâchée or the tray of rustic cookies anymore; the end result doesn’t matter. It’s about creating memories.

It’s about creating and maintaining our relationship as it evolves. It’s about creating a new dynamic between us as my daughter gradually dances away from me and flies solo into the world.

The drawings will fade in time, the papier-mâché will disintegrate and the cookies will get eaten, but the creation of our memories, of our love for one another and the times spent ‘being’ when she knows I’m there no matter what will never die, even when we do.

***

Carnival of Natural Parenting -- Hobo Mama and Code Name: MamaVisit Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama to find out how you can participate in the next Carnival of Natural Parenting!

Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:

25 Comments

  1. […] Creating memories, not things — Mrs. Green from Little Green Blog reflects on life with a ten year old and how ‘creating together’ has evolved from ‘things’ to memories. […]



  2. Dionna @ Code Name: Mama on August 9, 2011 at 5:09 am

    “It’s about creating a new dynamic between us as my daughter gradually dances away from me and flys solo into the world.” Oh mama – this made me tear up! What precious memories you are storing up! You should bundle some of your writing up and gift it to your daughter someday in the future – she’ll love reading about it 🙂



  3. […] Creating memories, not things — Mrs. Green from Little Green Blog reflects on life with a ten year old and how ‘creating together’ has evolved from ‘things’ to memories. […]



  4. […] Creating memories, not things — Mrs. Green from Little Green Blog reflects on life with a ten year old and how ‘creating together’ has evolved from ‘things’ to memories. […]



  5. Lauren @ Hobo Mama on August 9, 2011 at 7:29 am

    Oh, I love this post! What precious moments you’re taking notice of. I’m sure she’ll grow up loving to do all those things, since she’s gotten to choose to come alongside you in them.



  6. Heart of the Home | Life, Intertwined on August 9, 2011 at 7:37 am

    […] Creating memories, not things — Mrs. Green from Little Green Blog reflects on life with a ten year old and how ‘creating together’ has evolved from ‘things’ to memories. […]



  7. Family Draw Time Art Show | Kate Wicker on August 9, 2011 at 8:13 am

    […] Creating memories, not things — Mrs. Green from Little Green Blog reflects on life with a ten year old and how ‘creating together’ has evolved from ‘things’ to memories. […]



  8. […] Creating memories, not things — Mrs. Green from Little Green Blog reflects on life with a ten year old and how ‘creating together’ has evolved from ‘things’ to memories. […]



  9. » Creating (Im)perfectly Together mudpiemama on August 9, 2011 at 9:30 am

    […] Creating memories, not things — Mrs. Green from Little Green Blog reflects on life with a ten year old and how ‘creating together’ has evolved from ‘things’ to memories. […]



  10. […] Creating memories, not things — Mrs. Green from Little Green Blog reflects on life with a ten year old and how ‘creating together’ has evolved from ‘things’ to memories. […]



  11. Let’s Make Juice! « high needs attachment on August 9, 2011 at 10:54 am

    […] Creating memories, not things — Mrs. Green from Little Green Blog reflects on life with a ten year old and how ‘creating together’ has evolved from ‘things’ to memories. […]



  12. […] Creating memories, not things — Mrs. Green from Little Green Blog reflects on life with a ten year old and how ‘creating together’ has evolved from ‘things’ to memories. […]



  13. […] Creating memories, not things — Mrs. Green from Little Green Blog reflects on life with a ten year old and how ‘creating together’ has evolved from ‘things’ to memories. […]



  14. […] Creating memories, not things — Mrs. Green from Little Green Blog reflects on life with a ten year old and how ‘creating together’ has evolved from ‘things’ to memories. […]



  15. Kate Wicker on August 9, 2011 at 3:28 pm

    This is a beautiful and very helpful post to a mama about to welcome a newborn (her fourth “little”) who has been worried about how we will possibly have time to craft, bake, doodle, and create like we do now. You’ve reminded me that the most important end product to create is memories, not elaborate things or projects. Thank you for this! You really helped a mom who was fearing a bit of burnout. Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity!

    Blessings!



  16. […] Creating memories, not things — Mrs. Green from Little Green Blog reflects on life with a ten year old and how ‘creating together’ has evolved from ‘things’ to memories. […]



  17. […] Creating memories, not things — Mrs. Green from Little Green Blog reflects on life with a ten year old and how ‘creating together’ has evolved from ‘things’ to memories. […]



  18. Kristin @ Intrepid Murmurings on August 9, 2011 at 9:58 pm

    Oh! Love this! Thanks for showing me what things might be like (and what to strive for) down the line as my kids get older. I so agree that as they get older its so much more about the memories — that is so true as I think back on my own childhood!



  19. Mamma Earthly on August 9, 2011 at 10:34 pm

    What a beautiful post. I envy your serene and philosophical outlook and that you will “break joyfully” away from your own doings to join in with her in creating something. This is something which I struggle with – as much as I adore spending time with my children and sharing experiences, I am very rarely able to do so with such blissful abandon – there is always the thought that I have to get X done, or want some time to myself. And yet, what I/we must remember at all costs is of course that these times are so short and precious. It’s striking the balance that can be the tricky part!



  20. Gaby @ Tmuffin on August 10, 2011 at 2:11 am

    This brought tears to my eyes too! Ultimately, memories are all we have.



  21. Terri on August 10, 2011 at 3:28 am

    This post touched my heart in a deep way. It made me feel nostalgic simply for yesterday and to remind myself to enjoy every moment of the stages my little ones are at. These are precious times, precious connections and precious memories.



  22. Sylvia@MaMammalia on August 10, 2011 at 3:58 am

    Wow, what a beautiful post. Yes, I got a bit teary eyed! Thank you for reminding me of what it’s really all about. Those precious moments really are the most amazing creations.



  23. Deb @ Living Montessori Now on August 10, 2011 at 6:40 pm

    Beautiful post! You totally captured what it’s all about! I just featured your post at the Living Montessori Now Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/LivingMontessoriNow.



  24. xela on August 10, 2011 at 8:23 pm

    Wow, what a beautiful perspective! I never really thought of creating memories together when I thought of creating. I am doing my best to create lots of wonderful memories with my girls 🙂



  25. Wendylori on August 11, 2011 at 5:04 am

    Beautifully written about the experiences which truly stay with our kids and become part of who they are.