At what age does the wonder disappear? The curiosity. The amazement. The moving through life and approaching all you encounter with question and exploration in mind. At what age does the making for sheer pleasure of making disappear? Creating something because you want to. Or because you feel it, dream it, imagine it, see it and won't be able to think of much else until it's complete. The making for making sake. Not everything has to have a purpose. Not everything must be practical. Or utilitarian.
Does it?
When does that switch get flipped?
Quizzical looks come from others when I explain why my kids are not in softball/dance/basketball/piano/karate/underwater basket weaving/this camp and that camp. I'm doing my best to preserve just a little of that wonder. That curiosity. And the making for making sake.
The preservation of imagination.
-dana
Sometimes it never ends.
ReplyDeleteYep, yep, yep....we still have a grove of sassafras trees that we call "Fairyland" and it is next to our veggie garden...right now the fairy's helped the daffodils come up and the wind is making wooing creaking noises through the not for long naked branches!:)
ReplyDeleteWe'll never be too old for the wonders of our Fairyland!:)
That is exactly what I am trying to do with my girls. Let them do what they enjoy. Being kids and not pressuring them to do something because someone else is. Let them be their own person with their special imagination. This post speaks to me Dana.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Lovethe fairy house. I do think that imagination is so important.And creativity. There is way too much go go go.
ReplyDeleteI remember going outside in the morning and only coming in to eat. We played all day making it up as we went along.
Your girls are lucky to have you watching over them.
Amen, Sister!
ReplyDeleteAnd that, dear Dana is why I love you. You see things the way I do. All the over scheduling of children...let them be children for awhile, for goodness sakes. It really doesn't last forever.
ReplyDeletegah! mine oldest has baseball and a play this season and i love that he loves these things, but am perplexed about how to get us our open play avenues.. resilience, i pray, resilience... and great popflys! and a play!! oh my. thank heavens for spring... so much more than i think, every time.
ReplyDeleteYou are giving them a lifetime of wonder. We raised ours the same way. Imagination is a wonderful gift that is all too often buried beneath the busy-ness of today's world. Our kids still will tell you that they were never bored, yet we did not fill their days with organized activities. It seems that often kids these days no longer have a childhood and that makes me sad. You're doing a fine job! :)
ReplyDeletelove. you are such a good mama. xo
ReplyDeleteI love that you encourage your kids to imagine. And they get their exercise running with their dad. How cool is that? You are such a good mom.
ReplyDelete