I think as a Mummy, one of the most common pitfalls that one could suffer from — and it certainly is true in my case — is to assume that you know your child inside out, so much so that you think you know what they are going to do next before they do it. I certainly do know my children very well and there have been many instances when I can almost read their minds. But if there’s one thing I’ve learnt from my six years as a Mummy is that with children, they always manage to surprise you.
This was exactly what happened while we were at the Fox Kids & Baby Mother’s Day Block Printing Workshop last weekend.
I was very excited about the workshop, which was conducted by Fictive Fingers. I’ve always admired their beautiful handprinted fabrics and have been eyeing a few pieces for some time now! This workshop wasn’t for me, however. It was for the kids who were given the opportunity to make a block-printed tote bag for their mummy for Mother’s Day.
I don’t think I’ve met a kid who didn’t like stamps so they were all excited to start! But first, they were given a quick briefing on using the stamps. It was certainly more difficult to print nicely than it looked!
After those instructions, the children were each allowed to pick two stamps each and get to work. Mei got some animals while Noey grabbed a bunch of ice-cream stamps and they both got down to work.
Now, in addition to the stamps there was a set of markers on the table. After he had stamped a row of two on his bag, Noey reached for the markers, uncapped one, and before I could stop him, drew a long undulating line across the top of his design. I was extremely dismayed. Why did he do that? It looked terrible! I didn’t want to hurt his feelings but I certainly didn’t want him drawing any more lines. Mei had also in the meantime grabbed a marker and managed to make a splotch on her bag. I tried to convince them to continue stamping instead and when the ladies from Fictive Fingers decided to clear the markers away, I gratefully let them do so.
Except. Noey wouldn’t let the markers go! He kept asking and asking and asking for the markers! He would not be dissuaded. Eventually someone heard him and they gave him the marker he wanted. I resigned myself to the mess that I was sure he would create.
I left Noey to his handiwork. But when I later checked back on him, I was stunned. The bag looked so much better with the pattern he drew! It was actually really nice! And as I watched, he started adding numbers to his design. “The two times table”, he said. “It’s a puzzle.” Turns out you can follow the two times table through and it will lead you to the end — the box with his name in it. It was so quirky and oh-so-him. I loved it!
There were many lessons for me in today’s episode, chiefly the one that as a parent, I can guide my children but sometimes, I also have to let go and let them take the lead. I didn’t trust my son or his creative vision but the last laugh is on me!
6 years as a Mummy and I’m still learning. I hope I never stop. And really, there was nothing more appropriate I could have done this Mother’s Day! I hope you also had a great one.
*Thank you Fox Kids & baby for the invitation to the Block Printing Workshop! We all had a blast and yes, learnt a thing or two!
Leave a Reply