Develop Your Child’s Creativity by Sharing Your Hobbies
In my family history, there seems to be a genetic tendency to be obsessed with photography. My dad loved it, and he inspired me. One of my sisters still shoots film, and while her style is much different than mine, her candid shots of family events capture memories that would otherwise be missed. (And, if it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t be in any of the pictures, since I’m usually the other main family member holding a camera!)
Here is the old Canon SLR that my husband bought years ago, when he was in his early twenties. It documented our family life until the early 2000s, when we went digital. It’s been dead for quite some time, but it has too much sentimental value to throw away. (Believe it or not, that case was originally black leather…)
It makes me happy that my kids (now young adults) love photography too. Both of them see things so differently and in ways I never think of. And both of them have creative eyes that surpass mine, so it’s really fun to see their photos and be inspired by them.
My daughter is taking her second photography class now. While my strength seems to be in capturing expressions and events-in a word-people, my daughter, on the other hand, comes up with the most interesting and creative ways to capture images of things (inanimate objects and nature.) So recently, by watching her, my skills in capturing those things have grown too. Because our style and visions are so different, the hobby of photography has taken on new life for me.
In your kids’ early years, one of the most effortless and fun ways to help them develop their creativity is as simple as sharing your hobbies. And, then, when they’re grown, they will help you develop your creativity too.
This post was originally published in 2013 and updated in 2023.
Create with Joy, Mostly Blogging, Jenerally Informed, Wonderful Wednesday, Fluster Buster, Try It, Like It, Imparting Grace, Esme Salon
Yes they are! And Lucy, like many other dearly loved kitties, always will be.
Ah, sorry about your cat. I love my pets, and I agree, they truly are members of the family.
First of all, I'm so sorry about your cat. Secondly, I love this post. I'm a photographer from a family of artists and writers. I started very young. Maybe not as young as my own kids are now, but I think I got obsessed with cameras at age 7. I used to collect them and I believe I still have them all. My daughter is three now and I have a ton of cameras I feel no shame in giving her to use as she gets older. My professional camera is just that – professional – and I keep that one safe. The rest don't need to lie around collecting dirt. A friend of mine just gave her preschooler an old camera and he's been taking halfway decent photos!
wow- that camera has been through it huh? Looks very cool though! Sorry to hear about your cat 🙁
Blessings,
I grew up in a family of artists, and I'm so glad my parents shared their hobbies with me. It's a great foundation for kids, whether they end up continuing with the same creative pursuits or moving on to other interests. I also love seeing photos taken by young kids, it's so fun to see the world through their eyes!
I'm sorry about your cat, they are definitely members of the family.
I'm so sorry about your Lucy. She looks like a sweetheart. Pets really are members of our families…we have 7 (4 cats, 3 dogs) and I can't imagine life without any of them!
Your post is wonderful…I too love photography and I am never in the pictures, although I am resolving to change that! I just wrote a post about it. 🙂 My daughter has now become interested in photography, and my boys in video. Although I've never been much of a video person, it really can add such a richness to your family memories and I love seeing what they create!
I'm so sorry you lost your kitty. Pets are truly family!
You can see your passion for photography. It shows in everything you do! You kids have a very talented person to look up to!
Oh, I'm so sorry you lost Lucy!
Thanks for stopping by my blog today. Tomorrow, I'm featuring a photographer! (You will probably already know all the tips she's going to share.)
Although I don't have a fancy camera, I'm always taking pictures and my kids love to take pictures, too! It's so much fun to see what they do with their cameras.
I'm really sorry about your cat. I have a 15 & 1/2 year old cat. It's so hard to lose a pet. They are family. Stopping by from SITS.
Sorry to hear about Lucy. 🙁
I still have my old manual Canon camera. I can't give it up! It took beautiful photos, but I spent so much money on film and developing, so digital has been a wonderful transition as far as photography goes!
Dear Pam,
I am sad to read about your Lucy. I am so sorry; I know all of you must miss her. You are right, pets truly do become family members.
Sharing a love of photography with your kids must make for some really special times together! I enjoy reading about their creativity–isn't it amazing when we teach our kids and then they grow in their abilities and end up helping us grow?! I love that!
So sorry for the loss of your fur baby…that's never easy.
I, too, love photography! Mostly, nature photography…and I'm learning as I go. I'm thinking of starting a photography blog, in fact, as soon as I can make the time.
I am so sorry about your cat's passing 🙁 Losing a pet is just as hard as losing a family member but it's important to remember that she's in a better place now.
I have tried my hand at photography and learned that this is not a talent that I possess. But, it's awesome that you're sharing your hobby with your kids. My mom, grandma and aunt are all great seamstresses. My mom is also a very talented amateur designer who designed most of my wardrobe when I was growing up. But, they always viewed this skill as a "lowly skill" and my mom refuses to teach me to sew…making excuses such as "don't worry about this…concentrate on school…don't ruin your eyes, etc." I can't help but feel left out of the women's group in my family and a bit deprived because of this 🙁 When I have kids I plan to include them in all of my hobbies and let them decide for themselves what they enjoy doing.
Sorry about your loss. I'm stopping over from Sarah's today- and I've enjoyed perusing your sight. Love the creative inspiration packed in here.
So sorry to hear of your precious pet. Our dogs truly have become full on members of our family as well.
Thank you for splashing me with mom size encouragement. I think I just might need to dust off my camera and hand it to my kids. I need to bring them alongside of me in my hobbies. And of course for joining me in splashing others. I hope to make this momma melody thing, encouraging other moms, a regular thing. (thinking Thursdays). What cha think?
So sorry to hear about your loss. We just recently rescued a Siamese tabby mix, and she has been the finishing piece to our family puzzle. Siamese are such a crazy, fun breed!
I love that you're sharing your interests and it's sparking an interest in your kids!
im so sorry about your cat I recently lost a puppy to parvo.. death is always sad. I came from a family of artist.. my mom and dad both worked for big companies in dallas and my dad still paints in retirement. I some how ended up with more of the crafty side of art I guess. My daughter and I do a lot together. shes only 5 but she loves projects! here from sits!
Very insightful. Thank you for sharing. I plan to share my hobbies and sports with my children. I'm just praying they don't want to play hockey when they grow up, but I will support them if they do 🙂
So true. I love to read, consider it a hobby, and love to share that with my kids in the hopes that they'll love reading one day too. It's the same with our other hobbies. Why is it though that most people only seem to get the connection between sharing reading and making readers and not the same connection between sharing other hobbies and making creative people? 🙂
SO sad (and sorry for you) about Lucy. The sharing hobbies is a great idea (both my children love to read because my husband and I shared our love of books with them always). We also encouraged them to try new things with the rule that if they started something, they had to finish it. In the end – my husband and I learned a lot about new things too! I hope your SITS day is wonderful!
I'm so sorry for your loss ( I know its been sometime now, but loosing a pet is always hard). It is like loosing a beloved family member.
On a better note, I love sharing my hobbies with my girls (5 and 6), and even at their young age they still come up with things I would have never thought of. Its good to know it will only get better as they get older. Thanks for sharing 🙂
So sorry you lost your sweet Lucy. I love this post. It really resonates with me today! I was thinking about how important it is for me to keep up with my hobbies and things that I love, because not only will it teach my son about those hobbies… but it will also teach him that it's important to have interests! I too love photography, and am currently taking a class to learn more about it. 🙂 Found your blog via SITS Girls!
Sorry to hear about your beloved Lucy. I enjoyed reading your hobbies post, although I've yet to share mine with my child. Happy SITS Day! 🙂
I love this idea! I have been having my son garden with me when I can. Honestly, I can’t wait for him to get a little older so he can truly enjoy and appreciate things as much as I do. I wouldn’t want to rush him growing up, but I always get excited for new stages.
I would love to invite you to share your post on my Tell It To Me Tuesday link party, and have the chance to be featured. You can find the most recent one at https://perfectlyimperfect-lwl.com/tell-it-to-me-tuesday-5-7-11-23-link-party/. I hope you to see you there!