One incredible thing that I love seeing in the Writer Mom Life Facebook group is posts about kids supporting their mom’s writing, or participating in writing challenges for kids, or reading and enjoying their mom’s work.
While my son is too young to read any of my books, he does love writing. I had to draft this post on my phone because I cannot have my computer open for more than a few minutes before he asks me if he can write a little. How cute is that?? He mostly taps out his name, the name of all the characters in The Lion King, and a few potty words his dad taught him that I suppose he would have learned anyway so I can’t really be that mad.
This can be slightly frustrating, however, when I really need to work, so most of my serious writing is with the door locked or once he’s in bed. Though in the past I have also sat in his room writing when he needs me there to fall asleep.
On episode 20 of the podcast, Sarah Woodbury talks about “never closing the door” when she was writing in the midst of raising and homeschooling 5 kids.
All of this got me thinking about how important it is to let your kids see you write.
There is an idea that you need to be 100% “with” your kids when you’re with them, whether you’re a stay at home mom (since that’s why you’re at home, to be with them, right?) or if you work outside the home (you only see them a few hours per day so you should focus only on them, right?).
The worry is that if they see you paying attention to something else, they’ll think that’s more important than they are. I’m not sure that’s really true.
Eating is important, and no one would ever tell you that the time you spend cooking is time you should be spending with your kids. They say, cook WITH your kids! Get them excited about cooking and food!
In that same vein, letting your kids see you write won’t make them think you love them less. They’ll want to know more about the thing you’re doing and maybe even participate!
Obviously the needs at different ages will dictate what this actually looks like. Babies will be happy in a carrier while you type away, toddlers can scribble away next to you at your computer (when they’re not demanding their own writing time), teens will probably not even be in the room, interrupting you only when they need something. And let them interrupt!
You let them see you when you’re tired, angry, happy, sad, and silly. Let them see what creative looks like. Concentration. Frustration.
The struggle to find time to write is already hard enough. Making it a part of your life, the way cooking, reading, and other family activities are, is a great way to both get more writing done, and to foster the same creativity in your kids.
What Writer Mom doesn’t dream of her own kids writing their own masterpieces one day? They can start now, sitting next to you as you work on your own.
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