When it comes to my kids’ interests, things can get a little chaotic. My youngest son’s room is a prime example. Every time I walk past his door, I can’t help but peek in and smile at the sight of at least fifty pots filled with vegetables. Right now, there are sticks and twine scattered everywhere since he’s recently taken up basket weaving with twigs.
Our backyard has been in disarray for weeks. A friend visited recently and couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw his mismatched garden beds, the half-built fence, and the tree branches he cut down lying around. “How do you manage this? I could never handle it,” she remarked, glancing at the milk cartons he has lined up outside. I’m not entirely sure what those are for — I think he mentioned something about creating a mini greenhouse for seedlings, but I got sidetracked by the bucket of clay he was hauling inside. When I asked him about it, he said, “Our yard is full of clay. You can make things with it and even wash your hair with it.” And yes, he did wash his hair with it. I know because when I checked his head for ticks the other night, I found tiny sticks nestled in his hair.
Meanwhile, one side of my garage is taken over by my other son’s projects. He spends his time working on his dirt bike and four-wheeler, leaving tools strewn everywhere and filling the air with the scent of grease and gasoline. My daughter has also added to the chaos with her ducks. I had heard they could be messy, but nothing prepared me for the sight of their droppings the size of tennis balls appearing every fifteen minutes. Ducks require constant fresh water, so when they roam the yard — yes, sometimes they’re loose — my daughter places containers of water around. She even keeps mealworms in the house for them. When the ducks molt, feathers scatter everywhere. Honestly, I could stuff a pillow with what they shed throughout the year.
While I make sure to teach my kids about cleaning up after themselves and maintain order in our main living areas (I get a bit overwhelmed with clutter), I’ve come to terms with their messy hobbies. Although I don’t particularly enjoy the chaos, the joy it brings them is absolutely worth it.
Sure, I miss the tidy garage, but it pales in comparison to the happiness my son experiences while tinkering with his bike. I long for my pristine backyard, which used to be the sunniest spot on our property, but now I delight in watching him build a fence with the branches he’s cut and create who-knows-what with all those buckets of clay.
My daughter’s ducks have been a source of comfort for her, especially during quarantine. She cares for them as if they’re her children, spending countless hours cleaning their coop, giving them treats, and cuddling with them.
Friends and neighbors often look at me quizzically, questioning how I can tolerate the overwhelming mess. What they fail to grasp is the happiness it brings my children. Their hobbies are their outlets for stress and sadness. The cleanest, most organized home in the world couldn’t possibly rival the joy my family shares. Why would I want to disrupt that?
For more insights into family dynamics and hobbies, feel free to check out this post on home insemination or learn more about pregnancy resources from the CDC. Interested in details about self insemination? Explore expertise at Intracervical Insemination.
Search Queries
- Messy kids hobbies
- Managing kids’ activities
- Benefits of messy play
- Teaching kids responsibility
- Creative hobbies for children
In summary, while the messiness of my children’s hobbies can be overwhelming, the joy and growth they experience from these activities far outweigh any chaos. Their interests not only bring them happiness but also teach them valuable life lessons about responsibility and creativity.