This post began about art, but ended up about authenticity. It all started when I checked out a book from the library called Crafts from Salt Dough. I picked out a project making flower necklaces out of salt dough, which you then bake and paint. Sounds fun, right? Nope.
Now, I think this is a fun book with great projects for children ages six and up. But in this case, I ended up doing yet another project alone as there were so many steps my little people couldn't help with. (Oh, and you do know that I have three kids, right? And not even one of them is over age six? I think when I planned this project I had a mental block and thought I only had one child!!!!)
So there I was, alone, using a knife to cut flowers out of dough
while children ran, chased each other, screamed, and played around me.
My kind and gracious husband approached and gently said, "Um,
why are you doing this? It doesn't seem very you."
Great question! And I
couldn't quite remember the answer. Of course I like trying new things with my kiddos (sometimes). I thought it might
be cool to experiment and then blog about different art projects. And it's inspiring to watch people who naturally have art flowing through their bloodstream. But standing there stressfully clutching my salt dough, I realized I was being inauthentic. And to blog about the project without mentioning that little fact would be, well, a lie. So here I am, openly admitting the art fraud I tried to pull off.
Authenticity is one of the most important qualities of a mother. We all have different talents and when we use them well, we know it. We feel satisfied and our children enjoy being the recipients of our 'gifts.' But children can smell phony a mile away. "Just be yourself" is one of the lessons mothers aim to teach their little ones. I guess I need to practice what I preach, then, right?
So this mommy will focus on the things that make me the best mom for my little people. Things that inspire me. Things I have a contagious passion about that I can pass on. Like reading, writing, discussing deep thoughts, and helping children in need.
And I'll gladly pay someone else to do the in-depth art projects. Any volunteers?
