Did you know art makes parenting easier? It really does! And today I’m going to tell you how.  Here are ten different ways ART (either appreciating or making) has helped me become a better parent and helped my kids with life.  Quick Note: Before I start I want to invite you to the Lily and Thistle Resource Library where you will find all kinds of great resources -including this quick ebook: Ten Ways Art Leads To A Happier Home– and join our community of Creative, Intentional Moms.

If you’d like to include more art and nature into your family’s life, I’d like to invite you to join us at Nature’s Art Club! It’s a club designed to get you and your family into art and nature through monthly watercolor projects, coloring pages, original poetry, and more. You can check it out here. or just click on the photo below. It makes a great gift too!

Okay, now back to this post.  ART makes parenting easier because:

 1. There are No Rules

Art gives both children and parents permission to PLAY. Together.  Life is full of rules (for both kids and adults) but creating together lets us be on the same team for a while and enjoy the creative journey together. When it comes to creativity, kids and parents are pretty equally matched.

2. Art Helps Us See Beauty in the Everyday

There’s something about art that helps train our eyes to look for the beauty around us.  When I have taken time to stop and either create or enjoy art it’s easy to realize that art is in everything around me.  Especially in my home and in the faces I love most!

3. Art Says What We Cannot

Sometimes it’s hard to express our deep feelings, even with those we are closest to.  Art gives both parents and children a vehicle to share in a meaningful way.  Making something special for someone communicates so much!

4. Experiencing Art Helps Us See Beyond Ourselves

I admit it’s easy to forget in the flurry of life that the world does not revolve around me.  And if I’m being honest, my kids forget this fact sometimes too.  Art reminds us that there are others who see things differently.  It helps us all remember to see beyond ourselves and that our way is not the only way.

5. Art Creates Bonds

Making and sharing art makes life rich.  It provides meaningful experiences.  These shared experiences either making or sharing art turn into strong bonds with one another.

6. Art Brings Relief

Pablo Picasso said, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” There’s a reason we turn to T.V. or books at the end of the day. Seeing or reading art (even better if it is uplifting art) helps us unwind and rest.  It brings relief.

If you’d like to include more nature and art into your family’s life, I’d like to invite you to join us at Nature’s Art Club! It’s a club designed to get you and your family into art and nature through monthly watercolor projects, coloring pages, original poetry, and more. You can check it out here. or just click on the photo below. It makes a great gift too!

7. Art Celebrates Different Perspectives

Art celebrates the view from every angle.  The arts teach us that a problem can have more than one solution and that questions can have more than one answer.

“I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE I’VE LOOKED AT ALL MY LIFE AND NEVER SEEN.” -JOHN STEINBECK

8. Art Feeds Curiosity – Curiosity Feeds Happiness

I loved this quote from Rachel Carson:  “If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.” Art helps us stay happily curious together.

“IT IS HAPPINESS TO WONDER.  IT IS HAPPINESS TO DREAM” – EDGAR ALLEN POE

9. Art Provides a Bridge of Sharing

Going back to number 3, art makes it easier to share.  It gives us so many opportunities to share goodness and love every day.  I love this quote by Gina Vide, “A creative connection planted in early childhood is a lifelong seed for two way communication.  If planted and tended to, this creativity will always be a bridge of sharing between both child and adult.”

10. Your Life is Your Art

Vincent Van Gough famously said, “I feel there is nothing more artistic than loving people.” I try to remember as a mom that what I’m doing every day is a work of art.  It may include some dark or not-so-pretty moments, but adding love and trying to see the beauty makes it all meaningful and worth it.  Motherhood is truly a work of art!

Easy Ways to Bring Art into Family Life

There are lots of ways to bring ART into Family life.  I have prepared a great printable infographic page for you!  It is called How to Craft an Artful Family Life in FIVE Easy Steps.  You can access it in the Resource Library.  If you don’t have a password yet, you can sign up below. You’ll also have instant access to a TON of other great artistic resources I have for you there!

P.S. If you’d like to include more nature and art into your family’s life, I’d like to invite you to join us at Nature’s Art Club! It’s a club designed to get you and your family into art and nature through monthly watercolor projects, coloring pages, original poetry, and more. You can check it out here. or just click on the photo below. It makes a great gift too!