mulling over

[gfrancie]

An interesting piece about creating art while there are children about and defying that whole notion that once the kids show up -that's it in terms of creativity. Obviously finding the time isn't always so straight forward but I suppose people find ways. A common theme is just bringing the kids along or make them a part of what you are doing. I spent a lot of my formative years in theaters watching my Mother rehearse. Sometimes we would end up in shows.

Comments

[stevieannie.livejournal.com]

Thankyou for that link. A beautiful piece, and one that I ought to bookmark and re-read on a periodic basis.

[jillithian.livejournal.com]

"Why does it retain its power to chill? I don't think it's about fear of distraction or domesticity. I think it's a fear of babies. Being a parent – or really loving someone other than yourself, whether that's your children, parents or your lover – forces you to confront a horrible truth: the fact that we get older. The amazing boy who was born when I was still a student is a man now. There is no way that I can still think of myself as "quite young, really" or "a child at heart". Parenthood confronts us with our own mortality, every day.

As a society, we are in flight from our own mortality."

I can definitely say that getting old scares the crap out of me. Especially since spending some time with my mom this weekend and seeing her aging and having difficulties with being old herself.

Thank you for the link.

[cutebutpsycho99.livejournal.com]

Nice link. I feel like for me, what they were told was crap about family/creativity (but the writer basically says that). Now that I've gone domestic, I feel like I have more creative time and fuel to do that work.

Anne Tyler (who wrote Accidental Tourist, which I did enjoy) was able to find the time when her kids went to school. Her hours were 8:30-3:30 for writing. J.K. Rowling comes to mind easily as well as other people.

The trick is in the juggle -- don't let one take over everything.

Of course, I have one kid. Wait until I have two. Then my brain may turn to pudding.

[worldforawhile.livejournal.com]

I shared this with a friend of mine who was pregnant around the same time as you--I shared a lot of your stories with her, under the nom de plume "beluga lady," because. . .at one point it was relevant, your beluga icon. To her, you're beluga lady. Well, to me, to her. I don't know that she's ever referenced "beluga lady." Anyway, I'm sharing this with her.

I think it's 100% true that children can inspire creativity--I think the problem comes in where someone decided that creativity and fun weren't compatible with responsibility in the Parenting Olympics. As if it's somehow responsible to raise unimaginative children.