The beginning of the new year always seems fill with such potential and optimism. I’m trying to catch those positive feelings and keep them hostage at the Pickle Farm for the rest of the year.
One of the things I am trying to keep up with is saying yes to my kids more often.
Many times my brain throws out an automatic ‘no’ without really thinking it through first. I think, ‘that will be messy, or loud, or take a long time, or not what I had planned for this morning’ – so I say No. With a little thought, perhaps a little effort on my part, I could manage most of those issues and say yes more often. And really, it is much more fun for everyone if I say yes!
Muski asks to paint a lot when the girls are at school…. and usually I say no. It takes forever to put paints in pots and find brushes, to get out the easel or to set up a space at the table. It takes even longer to clean up an enthusiastic three year olds painting mishaps.
“One day when the weather is better we’ll set it up outside” I tell him.
“When your brother is asleep, then we’ll do it” I say.
But it never happens.
But now it will.
All three big kids got new paints for Christmas.
We already have heaps of paints but these are different. These sets of water colour disks don’t require much effort to set up, and don’t make much mess either. They even come with their own paint brush. Muski, who’s three and a half, can set himself up to paint, getting a cup of water and popping on his apron. He can pack up on his own too.
We’ve tried ‘el cheapo’ paint sets but the colours were never very satisfying and the paints crumbled and broke. So I spent a little more on these, but they were still less than $7 a set, and the colours are vibrant and strong and they are a pleasure to paint with. I wish I had bought myself some too.
But the most important thing is…. I’ve set myself up to be able to say yes more.
“Can we paint today mum?”
“YES!”
Is there something you often say no to that you could change into a yes with a bit of pre-planning?
This is our first We Play of 2011! Pop on over the new look Childhood101.com for more great play ideas!
I love water colour palettes too, for exactly the same reason. They’re self-contained, not too messy and it’s so easy to say ‘yes’, whip them out and get started.
I bought a Micador set of 36 (yes, 36 colours!) for a week at the beach back in November – in case it rained. And yes, it rained, and they were a hit. Thanks for the reminder – we have rain forecast for the rest of the week so I think we’ll be painting tomorrow!
Where did you get them from Kate?
Good for you Kate! Simplifying an activity for you, setting up something to build independence and saying yes!
Watercolors are a wonderful art media for all ages. The other day I was working on a project for a preschool class and instead of the traditional markers or crayons decided to pull out the watercolors. It was a instant hit and the colors are so soothing. Thanks for stopping by waddleeahchaa.com. :) joyce
Yes! Just yesterday I was feeling so grateful for this kind of paint set. It feels great to be able to easily say yes to painting. The thing I’d like to say yes to more often this year is sewing with my five year old. Hmmm- I’m going to have to think on that to figure out how to make it an easier yes. Thanks for the inspiration.
Wow! Those are really bright. I got a set for my son but you can hardly see the colors at all. Or maybe we’re doing something wrong, ha. I’m not an artist!
I want to say YES! to these sorts of activities too!! Can you please let me know where you got the water colours from, or what brand they are? I love their abnormally bright colours!
I so need to do more of this. I don’t have watercolours so going to have to put up with poster paints ;)
My floor can go for a week with paint on it (why does Princess HAVE to paint on a Friday when I do floors on a Thursday??) and I can prepare dinner walking through the kitchen with big steps and on half the bench space (the rest being covered in drying pictures) because saying “yes” can mean that I can make the dinner withot the whingeing, or I can have that phone call with my Nana. Someyimes, yes is very good :)
I definitely say no too much or i say yes and when she suggest what she would like to make i try to get the best out of the materials. I am going to make more effort too! thank u for mentioning this
I too have issues saying yes- so often i say no and then wonder why I didn’t just say yes. Recently I said yes to my 5yr old sewing (with a needle and thread and some felt) he had a wonderful time and did it all by himself, except for threading the needle and knotting the end off. I was so glad that I’d said yes!
What brand are they, Kate? I love the rich colours.
I need to say yes more to having people over to share in our fun times! That is on my wish list for 2011.