Parenting
Oh No, The Kids Are Full of Ideas
by Emily Carter
Updated: Jan. 31, 2017
Originally Published: March 25, 2011
I have to admit, I sometimes feel like a terrible mom. The moment I see that spark of creativity in my kids’ eyes, the moment one of them exclaims, “Oh! I have an AMAZING idea!” I can’t help but feel a wave of irritation wash over me.
In theory, their bursts of inspiration are fantastic. But in reality, they translate into an overwhelming amount of work for me—something I’ve learned through experience.
When my seven-year-old, Leo, has a big idea, it’s a signal that my help is urgently needed. His creative enthusiasm is so intense that it wipes away any trace of patience or common sense he might have had (which is already in short supply). He dreams up the most ambitious projects, and who is left to turn those dreams into reality? You guessed it—me.
I decided to enroll the kids in a week-long filmmaking camp. What a decision that was! The camp ignited their imaginations, which I usually try to keep at a manageable simmer. When I picked them up yesterday, Leo immediately announced he was “inspired” to create a stop-motion animation short.
These movie-making ideas are the ones I dread most. They require immense time and my limited knowledge of technology. I’d happily help him build a Lego Eiffel Tower or write a mash-up of his favorite stories, but anything that involves editing software? No thanks!
At 6 PM, he decides he wants to make a movie. Between dinner prep, bath time, and reading, I know from past experience that movie-making can take hours—definitely not a suitable project to start at bedtime.
These spur-of-the-moment inspirations are what I truly fear. When I explain to Leo that there’s not enough time to finish a movie before bed, he goes into a frenzy. Doesn’t he understand? He’s caught in a whirlwind of creativity that cannot be denied, delayed, or cut short. His burning desire to CREATE has ignited a passion within him that is all-consuming. He doesn’t care about bedtime or even brushing his teeth. To him, it’s about bringing this “masterpiece” to life before it fades away. Do I really want his BRILLIANT CREATION to vanish without ever seeing the light of day?
He insists it will only take five minutes, and I fall for it every time. I’m a softy, and honestly, I cherish his grand visions and boundless inspiration, possibly even more than he does. I’ve saved countless drawings of his favorite characters, after all. Of course, I’ll help him chase his seemingly impossible dream.
And so, here I am, past bedtime, frantically interviewing a Lego mini figure while ignoring my four-year-old daughter, Mia, who is desperately calling for me from the bathroom.
“Mommy, I need help!”
“Mommy, don’t ignore me!”
“MOMMMMYYYYY!”
Finally, I respond, “We’re FILMING in here! Leo, just cut! We’ll have to do that again after I help your sister!”
This is the chaotic reality of parenting that I try to prepare for. This is why I generally avoid inspiring my kids in any way—unless it’s to get them to take a much-needed nap, which, unfortunately, they don’t seem to ever want to do.
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Summary: Parenting can be a whirlwind of creativity and chaos, especially when kids come up with ambitious ideas just as bedtime approaches. While their bursts of inspiration are thrilling, they often require an overwhelming amount of parental involvement, leading to humorous yet hectic situations. Finding a balance between encouraging creativity and maintaining routine can be a challenge for many parents.