but I stopped myself from saying it at least a hundred. The greatest parenting books have one common theme: “The best thing you can do for your child is to let him figure things out on his own.” The quickest way, they caution, to cut the lines of communication is to use the infamous phrase that our own parents used, “I told you so.”
But I couldn’t help myself.
The assignment, adding to my son’s already overloaded homework burden, was to illustrate, write and bind a children’s book.
He was not content to do the minimum of 12 pages, my son decided to create 18.
Worse, rather than use easy illustrations for a concept book, like “How Many Soccer balls,” my illustrious artist choose to illustrate 18 different animals. 18 different animals. “So, how long do you think this will take you?”
“About 6 minutes per animal,” he said.
“OK, I’ll time you.” Twenty-two minutes passed, and he was still working on the first. So, I said, let’s multiply that by 18… “396 minutes just to do the book.” Plus, he added, that this was just the first draft… he would then re-do the entire book, so there are two books to make.
Undaunted by my pleas to “stop, re-think this,” and “let’s not make this so hard on yourself,” and of course, “I told you so,” he continued to work. It was Saturday night. I finally stopped him at 12:30 to go to bed. So far, he had managed to find a how-to draw video on the Internet for each animal. He still had six animals to go.
The next morning, I asked him if he was tired, and picked up my campaign where I left off last night to save my child. I got nowhere fast. If anything, I was making this far worse than the actual book production. Then I heard him say these words. “I just like doing this.” Finally, I left him alone and dropped it.
I did the only thing I could do. I started unwrapping the twisty ends on my Smarties, and started eating.
It didn’t take long… in just a couple of days, he said, “I wish I hadn’t made this book so long.” And no, I didn’t say it. I acted as if I didn’t even hear him. Parenting is oh, so tough.
He did finish the book, ahead of schedule.
But I did tell him how awesome his book was… at least 100 times. The books, by the way, made by each student, were given to children in a day-care facility the students visited.
Such a cute book, Susie! I guess another good bit of advice would be, “Don’t be afraid to let your child work hard on a project that interests them.”
I have often heard that people need to be balanced, but really, if we are passionate about something, we devote more time and interest to that than to other things in our lives. I think children deserve the space to be allowed to do that, too.
Again, the book is just beautiful.
Wow, he should be very proud of himself for sticking with it and doing such a great job. That’s a real keepsake.
WOW- his book is beautiful! He obviously has tremendous talent and that’s why he enjoys it so much.
Sometimes I find it very hard not to do the “I told you so” stuff, especially when it ends up with one child crying because they are exhausted and have run out of time. Parenting is hard work!
Happy Mother’s Day, Susie J!
It’s too bad you didn’t get to keep it, what a beautiful book! He’s truly talented!
it’s really gorgeous work! good for you for eating the smarties and good for him for sticking with it;-)
the book really is cool
I love the picture of Spot. Such an expressive face. I think he has what it takes to be an artist!
You are SO GOOD! I can imagine how tough it was to bite your tongue – I’m really impressed.
Wow, I’m really impressed. With both your biting of your I told you so tongue, and his tallent!! Awesome job, both of you.
I know you are proud Susie!! =) Proud for not saying it and proud of what he has accomplished.
An over-achiever. It looks fantastic though. And all of the hard work has to have made him very proud in the end.
Oh my goodness, I am super impressed! His drawings are amazing, as is his perseverance!
Aww, he did a great job! And good for you for the restraint you showed.
WOW. I would pay money for that book. It’s amazing what kids can accomplish when they’re actually interested in what they are doing. And I think Morgan is a fabulous name for a sheep.
wow — what a project! and kudos to you for biting your tongue. i don’t know if i could have done it!
Wow! I’m very impressed! He draws well and to have such perseverance!
What a special boy, you have. Sure, maybe you wanted to tell him, but he’s an awesome kid! Look at all the hard work he put into a book that he’s GIVING AWAY.
I hope my daughter will follow in his foot steps one day.
His drawing is amazing! What hard work he put in – great job at stepping back and letting him make the decisions (even if they were the hard ones)….I don’t know how well I will do with that when mine get older!
That book is seriously awesome! What a fantastic artist that he is!
I’ve taught this project – It’s always one of my favorites – but you’ll be happy to know I make it an IN class project
It may have taken a while, but wow, how awesome is that book?
He did an awesome job. I love his stick-to-it-tiveness. He put himself deep into a book to be given to others. Priceless.
OMG he has such incredible talent. How could you n ot let him carry on doing his thing, using his gift? How can you bear to pass it on and not keep it as an absolute treasure? His art is just astounding.
I think as parents we don’t appreciate sometimes the incredible individuality of our children — their unique aptitudes and abilities. We get caught up in our own needs — timing, teaching our own ideas (efficiency, need to balance things, other tasks ahead to accomplish, time management).
That is a wonderful book. I can still remember a project like that that I did in grade school, to this day. Working through something big like that is an important experience!