To The Other Moms- Who Cringe at Crafts with Kids

As moms, we want everything to be good. Not perfect just good. The thing that comes right along with children is the constant feeling to be good at everything like everyone else.

If you can throw out the ideas of what your own parents have told you or made you think, you may realize just like I did, you hate crafts.

That you would probably rather walk across a super high see through bridge when you are scared of heights then do a craft.

That was me. I’ve done something with my own kids based on what I did growing up.

Which is 4-H. I never cared for the craft part as a kid. In fact, my mom did all the planting and gardening ones and my dad did all my mixed tapes for music. I really didn’t care about entering any of that.

Sure I played the guitar and flute but he mixed ” Momma’s Little Baby loves shortening shortening,” to a whole new level.

I didn’t care. The only thing I cared about in 4-H was the farm animals, My happy place.

This year the girls are signed up for the first year of 4-H. Little did I realize the once a month 4-h meetings for Clover buds are crafts. ALL crafts. Not my favorite thing to say the least, but the girls love it and truly everyone is lovely.

It could be a whole lot worse.

As I got home late and stared at these two cardboard craft projects the girls did tongiht I was reminded of my reaction to those boxes.

I could have easiy got frustrated or upset and put myself down, because they weren’t as amazing to me as the pinball one or the ballons you pop. There were some really amazing ones.

I could have shown the kids I’m not good enough. I could have let the enemy dig on in and say you shouldn’t be doing this.

I could have interjected with the girls and tried to come up with some ideas, but I honestly had none. Or I didn’t want to have any. They already had their own ideas.

Instead, I embraced the moment. My kids did what they wanted on their own. To them, it was good enough. There wasn’t a question of bigger or better. Nor should there have been. When we embrace who God created us to be we are comforted and prepared.

Maybe I hate crafting because my mom loved it. Maybe I hate crafting now because I did daily crafts as a stay at home mom for three years.

Or maybe it’s because I have a dificult child who seeks perfection on every little thing. And my art skills are far from what she likes to work with.

The moment I realized I didn’t have to like crafting or even enjoy it all the time gave me freedom.

I don’t have to enjoy doing crafts. I don’t have to enjoy every single part of motherhood.

What I have to do? Be there. Show up. Do my best.

That’s what it comes down to with parenting.

It’s not about the craft or how it turns out. It’s all about being their for your kids. The moments they need you and we don’t realize.

To all you moms out there who feel like you aren’t good enough, or comparing yourself to other moms, you are exactly who God created you to be. Enjoy it. Embrace it.

See it. Allow yourself to be that person. Stop holding yourself up to the expectations your parents placed on you as a child.

This parenting job is difficult and if you showed up and gave your best to your child today, let me know, let others know below.

We all need to lift one another up and let’s do that today.