Sparking Creativity!
I remember when our youngest son was born–our fourth child in five years. What were we thinking? I’d had three years of sleep deprivation and my mother had come to help with the newborn. As I breastfed Dale, the other three youngsters crawled on my lap looking for special time with me. My mother looked at me, shook her head and told me these would be the happiest days of my life. I stared back at her and said, “You mean it gets worse?”
What kept me sane in those days was creating fun, inventive ways to keep our children occupied. We had rainy day picnics beneath the kitchen table. Backwards day when I served dinner for breakfast and breakfast for dinner. I made up games and bedtime stories. Those early years as a wife and mother were what fed me creatively so when it came time to write my mind was already primed.
April 5th, 2016 at 3:50 pm
I love hearing stories of moms choosing to enjoy being moms. It’s hard work, and exhausting, but focusing on creating fun memories does make it the happiest time of your life. I’ve heard moms say they feel guilty when there are days they feel grumpy or don’t do fun things with their kids. Nothing to feel guilty about, those days happen plenty. But why focus on them for yourself or your kids? Move along, stop and do something fun. And I agree, it fuels my creativity when I’ve stopped to make memories with my kids. I started gaining confidence in writing when I started writing down the funny stories in our day-to-day lives, and later applying sweet, real moments to fiction as well as essays. Thanks for your post…it gave me something to think about today. 🙂
April 5th, 2016 at 4:49 pm
I never thought about reversing the meals but it’s a nice idea. I like the idea of having desert first then the rest of the meal. My two grandchildren would like this idea and eating under the table a treat as well. Wonder if they told their friends what Nana was doing would put some spark into their eating habits. ???
April 5th, 2016 at 4:49 pm
I had my 4 kids in 5 years — and looking back I can remember only the good stuff, and how much I loved them, and still do. Now have 10 grandkids and 4 great-grandkids with two more due next month. Life is good!
April 5th, 2016 at 5:02 pm
Beautiful … Love your writing and oh my you are so creative..
April 5th, 2016 at 5:04 pm
I have 3 kids and I Leve so much their.
April 6th, 2016 at 8:06 pm
I have 2 grown sons and now 2 grandchildren, I always loved being a Mother and had so much fun with them and now with the grandkids. I, as well as my sons, have great memories and now I’m making them with my grandbabies. My sons friends always wanted to be at our house because mostly they wanted to see what their friends Mom was gonna do next LOL! From flipping pancakes over my shoulder (you wanna eat breakfast then you better catch one) to when they came home from school to find 2 buckets of water balloons ready for battle 🙂 .
Fun times!
April 6th, 2016 at 10:26 pm
Now looking back..those were the “good old days.” Those memories make your writing more lovable for all of your fans. You have been there and lived it….and best of all you can still hear those remarks of your children because you took your time to listen and smell the roses of romance that caused it all….Thank you Debbie!
April 7th, 2016 at 6:04 pm
Debbie,
On your Knit One, Bless Two…don’t forget about all the Crochet folks!
April 7th, 2016 at 7:06 pm
I could have used your creativity when my babies were young (ages now; 43 in July, twins 40, twins 37 in June) my days were busy and to think I went out and worked full time.
I only work part time now (one day a week for sanity’s sake), mom moved in with us two years ago and diagnosed late last year with moderate dementia (Alzheimer’s). I can’t wait for your adult coloring book to become available. Mom spends hours coloring. Her supply is running low.
She also enjoys reading your books (as do I) we await the next book of the Inn at Rose Harbor series. When I get time I’m catching up on your other book series. I enjoy getting carried away in the lives of other for a moment to escape my own, which I truly love. I am blessed to have had Dad with us until his last days (he passed July 2015). Yes, having a patent in need is a daily challenge one I wouldn’t give up for anything. I’m so very blessed indeed!
Thank you Debbie!
April 7th, 2016 at 9:07 pm
When I wanted to return to teaching young children after raising my two sons, the best thing that happened to me was to NOT get another teaching job. Luckily, my local library had an opening for a storyteller. That launched my career to become the Youth Services Supervisor at the Venice (FL) Library for 15 years, ending as Mother Gooose for the whole county. Now, as a retiree, I volunteer storytimes at our local libraries and YREADs classes. My most creative storytimes, though, are for my 5 grandchildren and their classes–Grandma Goose is on the Loose!
As a librarian, I have access to every one of your wondrous stories and non-fiction works. Thanks for being so caring, empathetic, and inspirational to your readers! I’m one of your biggest fans and share an October, same year birthday,
You are a real blessing!
Jo Lize, AKA, Mother Goose
April 11th, 2016 at 9:37 am
Love the reminiscing of past times. I think of how much simpler things were when I was growing up in the 60’s which called for more creativity when we were bored, snow or rain days, or no one else with which to play. When I tell me kids what we used to used to keep ourselves occupied, they take it in and try to find something. It is very difficult to beat out technology. With all the technology, there is definitely a lose of creativity. I love the “good old days” of simplicity. Has anyone tried to find marbles in a store? It took me forever but finally found some in Cracker Barrel. Thank you Debbie for your all-inspiring posts and your wonderful stories. I love to read them. May the Lord continue to bless you, your family, and all your readers.