Show It Off!

In our house, craft projects of all kinds flourish in the summertime. My kids paint, draw, color, mould, sculpt and glue from early June straight through ‘til Labor Day. Most of the work they produce is your standard kid fare (quickly generated images of the Little Mermaid, Spiderman, smiling sun, etc.) but some of it is truly extraordinary. Like most people, I don’t have room to keep all of it and I surreptitiously store it away in file 13 while no one is looking. But those pieces that the kids are most proud of, the ones that take your breath away, deserve to be displayed as the high art they are.

The question then becomes how to display them effectively without cluttering every surface of the house. Some people choose to designate one wall for kids’ art. This makes a very nice sort of bragging display, where anyone who happens to be in your house can get a quick look at the very best pieces all at once. A nice way to manage this is to tack up a length of clothes line across the wall and then use clothes pins to hold each picture in place. This allows for a rotating exhibit as well, so that each new amazing piece can find a home easily.

Other people want to intersperse their children’s art with the rest of the art throughout the house. Fortunately, there are many decent-looking, affordable frames available these days at places like Target and Marshalls. Also, since it’s the height of rummage season, you can find some one-of-a-kind used frames (add some paint, glue a joint, fix the wire on the back) that work well for this task.

Whatever way you decide to do it, allowing (and encouraging) your children to show off their work is good for their little egos. It makes them proud to know that you value their abilities, and in turn it helps them value themselves more. We all know how important that is, now and as they grow into adults.  VS

Lucky Tomaszek is a mother, certified doula, homebirth midwife, childbirth educator, La Leche League leader, member of the Care Network and freelance writer. Her hobbies include catnapping and knitting. More information about her midwifery practice is available at http://www.laborgrrl.com