Comments on: Creativity when having children

By: JCK

JCK — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:39:50 +0000

This is a very interesting topic, Susanne. I think it must differ from person to person. My husband and I are both artists in our souls. We met as actors. I ended my acting career a while back, but had always had a lingering passion for writing which I had never really pursued on any regular basis. Stop. Start. Stop. Start.

Then we had children. True, we are really exhausted, but it has also inspired us to realize that life is short and that our children, hopefully, will be inspired by our creativity as we are by their’s. My husband is forming a theater company on the side (he does home remodeling for $ living) and I started my blog a year ago. I feel very creative and excited much of the time now, because I am doing what I always wanted to do. True, it might “just be blogging,” but it is the exercise of writing regularly that has been so powerful.

I also think that your creativity can take on different forms. When I was going through infertility heartaches, I started painting with acrylics. I had never painted before and had quite a self-consciousness about painting or drawing. It was very freeing and I lost myself in it for a while. Now I am drawn to write.

Ok, I’ve blathered, but I’m so glad to read about your journey here and thanks for the provoking thoughts!

By: Sofia Says

Sofia Says — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 03:52:45 +0000

I go into that far away place when I am creating and my daughter is used to it but I find it much easier to be creative when she is in school and I have four hours to myself. I used to criss stitch and do other crafts but I found that I was not creating anything that was really mine and I gave up most of those hobbies. So you are right.. there are different levels of creativity and different levels of satisfaction.

By: De

De — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:14:24 +0000

Brain dead. brain dead. and then I worry that it won’t come back (though crazymumma says it does, eventually).

Secondly, the lack of flow. The interruptions. Having to schedule “me” time. It seems so selfish.

I think you hit it exactly right, that having children will bring out a certain type of creativity in non-creative types. But even for them, something had to give – they’re just not so sorry that they’re no longer working at a desk for so many hours or whatever.

By: slouching mom

slouching mom — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 01:29:12 +0000

I agree with you. It’s harder post-kids to do the REALLY creative endeavors that take a lot of thought and emotional work.

And I’m laughing at your numbers four and five. Because they’re just like what goes on in my life!

By: KC

KC — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:18:09 +0000

I don’t think I’m any more or less creative than before children. I do have more public outlets, like blogging, now. I do like the theory though – much like Erikson’s idea of the “playing” or “child-like” adult.

By: PiaPessoa

PiaPessoa — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:12:24 +0000

Well, after a long long break I restarted to knit in october 94. Did the last stitch on january 10, 1995. Then restarted september 2004. Guess, when my son is born? Right, january 11, 1995.
I managed to restart with my choir very soon, but for crafting continuously there was no time. Nevertheless I had new ideas and projects. Not the time to track these ideas, nor to bring them to perfection. But I dont´t earn money with my creativity, so this didn´t hurt me so much.

So I resume: creative ideas yes – time to finish them not

By: hel

hel — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 12:39:29 +0000

I don’t know about the effects of children but since I started studying I find less time to just be, I am easily irritated and rarely feel like creative endeavors. One I don’t have the time to wait for her shy approach and two doing the work once she shows up seems like…more work.

By: crazymumma

crazymumma — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:06:34 +0000

oh I was far less. But it is coming back now. It looks like a great book. But one wonders…how the heck does she find the time. She must have alot of help with the everyday stuff.

By: joanna

joanna — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:30:12 +0000

I am creative in a different way, for example i didnt sew before children. I dont write as much now though and that used to be my thing. I feel though that i have been able to explore my creativity much more now that i do not work in a stuffy office. I once had a fab job working as a writer for textile books but it was short lived unfortunately. So i would say that i am not so much MORE creative as i have more opportunity to fulfil my creativity as i am at home, and although i am CONSTANTLY shattered, i do find myself having ideas and being able to draw them out rather than having my creativity squashed by mindless office gossip

By: H.E Eigler

H.E Eigler — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:22:44 +0000

Oh yeah another book on the ‘to read list’. Maybe in two years I’ll be able to get through some of them! I totally agree with you, I was a creative person before little H was born and I still am. But the way I think about my art has changed since becoming a mother. And I completely understand that it is much harder to actually sit down and create something now. There is planning involved when before it was much more whimsical and spur of the moment. Another great post. Thanks!