I usually don’t sew with Ellie around (because I didn’t want to get her interested in playing with pins and pushing buttons and things) but last night I was feeling so blah and just needed a sewing fix.
Of course, Ellie came and wanted to join in, and I realised that she’s old enough now to start learning this stuff without hurting herself.
So I ended up giving her her first sewing lesson. (She became very very interested in the reverse stitch button… which is funny because when she’s playing Mario Kart she always wants to drive backwards, too.)
My blah feeling went away with her enthusiasm and my intention to teach her, and I realised that sharing my need-to-retreat time with her is actually really good for both of us.
Obviously I need some alone time as well, but separating my relaxation time and looking-after-her time so completely just leaves me more drained than I need to be. I have been feeling it.
I remember reading a piece in a Thich Nhat Hanh book about a father who felt like he had no free time, because he divided it all among his wife, his kids and his work. His solution was to think of his family time as his personal free time – because then the time for himself was abundant.
When I read it I thought, ‘Wouldn’t that be nice?’ and ‘If only I could think that way.’
But I think the idea was just waiting in my head until an opening came up, like last night, when I could begin to embrace it.
Oh Hayley, those are the sweetest pictures. You both look very engaged in your work, and completely happy to be where you are. Thanks for sharing.
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That is just too cute! I have the same feeling when I bake with my kids. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t but when it does, it’s just a lovely experience. I believe what you experienced falls into the serendipity column…
Aw Hayley, thats really sweet, thank you for sharing such a special moment with your daughter and your blog readers!. Children are often smarter than we give them credit for I think; I frequently say to myself in respect of activites for my son ‘oh he’s too young for that’ but only too often, he proves me wrong! Ellie will be designing her own clothes before you know it
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Aww… so sweet. She looks so into it – that’s great to teach her when she’s young. It annoys me when I see parents ignoring their children’s questions and not fully indulging their curiosity, so this makes me smile
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That looks very sweet – my daughter is a similar age and also has started sitting on my lap while I am sewing and enjoys moving the dials for me. Three is such a great age. I know what you mean about struggling with dividing up time – I have found it gets easier as they get bigger. Sometimes getting down to their level and ways of working can make it seem more fun.
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What a great post! I think it’s such a wonderful idea to teach children at a young age – my mother certainly did with me – I think we need to give children the benefit of the doubt and realize they are ready earlier than we think they are.
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My Miss 2.5 loves the reverse button too
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