Crafting with Kids: Homemade is the Best

 

PicMonkey Collage

 

Both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are quickly approaching. I can’t say I pride myself on it but, I tend to be a last minute gift finder. I’m typically still searching for ideas the week of.

If I were ordering gifts, that would be pushing it. I can almost guarantee that the gifts wouldn’t show up on time. Thankfully, we prefer to do homemade gifts.

Why is homemade better?

After being a child care teacher for 10 plus years and hearing many parents and Grandparents say how much they appreciate the homemade gifts, I have carried that into being a Stay-at-home Mom. We make gifts for Dad and grandparents and my oldest has started making gifts for me on her own as well.

There is something about knowing that they took the time to make something special specifically for you, that makes it such a wonderful gift to receive.

My struggle with homemade gifts

If I am truly honest though, when I sit down with my kids to help them with a homemade gift, my ideas and intentions are completely different than theirs. This is sometimes hard for me (Okay, this is very hard for me). I see a perfected project where everything is exactly where it should be.

My child sees their idea of a perfect project. Things may not make sense to me but, to them it is the perfect spot for it.

With that being said, I have to step back and remember that this is their gift to give not mine.  It should be their choice where items get placed and what the end product will look like. Not mine. It is okay to try to guide them or even ask questions about their creative process. Just remember to let them be the leader, let them make their idea of a perfect project. If they get to make their perfect project their enthusiasm while giving it will be greater as well.

It is those projects that are cherished even more by those who receive them.

 

Meet Stephanie! She’s a 24 year old stay at home Mom, who couldn’t ask for a better blessing than to be home with her daughter!! Their favorite things to do together is working on art projects and they enjoy sharing them with people at Crafting with Bug!! In her free time she enjoys reading and scrapbooking!! Check out all of Crafting with Kids article here!