On Hobbies, Children, & Polymer Clay

Few are fortunate enough to begin doing what they love in childhood.  Many spend their entire lives “finding themselves”, searching for the things that make them feel alive, fulfilled, and satisfied.  Too often, they never truly come into their own, and carve out their niche in this world.  Many talents are left undiscovered.

Have you found your hobby, the activity you love doing and make time to do as often as is possible?

In many ways, I still feel like I’m floundering, trying this or that.  I’ll like something for a time, but eventually put it down, never to pick it up again.

Can you relate?

Have you run through the gamut of hobbies?

We are a family brimming over with hobbies.  From water sports, to sewing, to music, we have tried a lot of things.  Some of those hobbies, we enjoy very much, and others quickly became a chore.

My daughter is the only one of us who never really found something she loved doing (besides reading).

For a time, this became a real source of stress for her.  I think she spent so much time watching the rest of us create our own art (I use the term “art” very loosely.) and do things we love and are passionate about, that she felt left out, kinda like she was missing out on something.

She tried music, painting, sewing, scrapbooking, and the list goes on.  She liked some of those things, but they definitely were not her passion.

As a mom, I wasn’t really sure what to do.  I honestly didn’t think it was that big of a deal, because after all, she’s still just a kid.  I mean, she’s got her whole live to find her hobby, right?

But, when your kid hurts, you hurt. #momlife

I just hated to see her stressing out over a hobby, so I suggested things, Googled “hobbies for kids”, took trips to arts & crafts superstores, and simply encouraged her to try new things.

We don’t always know what we’re going to like doing until we actually try doing it.

When was the last time you tried doing something new?

One day, out of nowhere, she said, “I want to try making things out of clay.”

Okaaaaaaayyyyyy…

Of all the things we’ve tried, sculpting was definitely not one of them.  My sculpting skills go no further than Play-doh.

The next time I got paid, we bought clay.  It was the wrong type of clay, and I ended up melting all her little sculptures the second I put them in the oven.  #momfail

Needless to say, we did a little research before our next shopping trip.

The more she worked with clay, the more she loved it.

I was kinda shocked, not only that she found something she enjoyed so thoroughly, but also that she was really good at this clay making thing.

I know it’s terrible to admit, but I didn’t have high hopes for this hobby.

This kid is constantly blowing my mind with her creations, her “Tiny Little Things”.  And, I know there’s no frame of reference in these photos (my bad), but each of these sculptures is no larger than an inch or two in any direction.

Her art teacher liked her creations so much that she put a collection of them in the art show.

My girl was also asked to teach an art class on Polymer Clay during the last week of school.  She put together a plan, made samples, brought in her own clay, and taught a class on how to sculpt with clay.

That not only takes passion, but it also takes guts.

It’s one thing to love your hobby, but teaching your newly acquired skills to a room full of your peers takes courage.

Weary mom, I want to talk to you for a second.

If you are worn out and broke from hauling your kid from class to class, event to event, store to store, trying to support your child as he explores, creates, and tries new things, don’t give up.  Keep encouraging your child.  Give him options and expose him to the arts, to music, to sports.

We are blessed with this beautiful gift of life, and there is so much to do and enjoy.  If it’s possible, help your child find his hobby early in life.  It will be so satisfying to see him excel, as he gains confidence and pride in a job well done.

If you haven’t found your niche yet, don’t give up.  Be open to opportunity, and never ever stop learning and trying new things.

I’m so glad my daughter finally found her hobby.

I’m looking forward to see where she takes these new skills.

And, I don’t mind saying, I’m one proud mom.

I would also be remiss if I didn’t thank my sweet aunt for keeping this kid supplied with clay.  These pictures are a mere sampling of all the sculptures she’s made and given away.  So, thank you Aunt Pat.  You constantly find ways to bless us.