Menu: Parenting
The Challenge of Overwhelming Children’s Artwork
by Jamie Thompson
Updated: May 12, 2015
Originally Published: April 18, 2010
During my visit to my 3-year-old’s preschool today, I was enthusiastically guided to a cubby overflowing with my son’s creations. It took all my willpower not to roll my eyes at the teacher, who beamed with pride over a collection of dried paint scribbles. I managed a smile that masked my true feelings, took the stack to my car, and upon reaching home, unceremoniously tossed the entire pile into the trash.
Am I a bad parent? Not at all—just a practical one.
These educators seem determined to send home every scrap of paper my child touches with a crayon, showcasing the time spent on “art.” I want to tell them, “Save yourself the effort; I send my child to you for three hours of precious alone time.” They could be wrestling each other on the playground for all I care, as long as I can run errands without interruption. Frankly, I struggle to see any artistry in these creations. What even is this mess?
Take, for example, a piece titled “Patrick’s Egg Painting.” Is it meant to represent an egg? Was it painted with an egg? Is there any egg involved at all?
Then there are the questionable pieces that the teachers “assist” with. Look at this absurdity—my 3-year-old, who can’t even manage a pair of scissors, is said to have perfectly cut out these stars and taped them to ribbons. The last time he got a hold of tape, it took me 20 minutes to remove it from his hair!
And honestly, do we really need a rocket ship that looks suspiciously like a certain male anatomy displayed on the fridge?
I’ve kept a small box of mementos for each child—just enough to ensure that if A&E ever needs background footage for a biopic about my future president or maybe a less reputable figure, I won’t appear to be an unloving parent. I cherish the Christmas ornaments featuring their little faces and those handprint crafts for Mother’s Day. However, the rest of the artwork goes straight into the trash. My son Patrick doesn’t care. I once held up one of his paint smears and asked, “What is this art you made for Mommy?” He glanced at me, confused, then shrugged and returned to his monster trucks. Clearly, that piece isn’t worth saving.
As my daughter Grace has grown, I’ve had to handle her artwork with more care; thankfully, her creations are becoming more recognizable. I review each piece, offering the appropriate praise, then stash it away until it’s forgotten. Eventually, this storage space begins to resemble an episode of Hoarders, prompting me to dispose of it all when she’s at school.
On a few occasions, she has discovered her artwork in the trash and erupted in tears. I’ve had to patiently explain the situation. “Listen, sweetheart,” I say, “you are a talented artist, but I cannot keep everything you create. So take a look at your work and decide if it’s truly your best. If it is, I’ll hang it up, but if not, it has to go to make room for new projects.” After some contemplation, she usually agrees that it’s not her best work and willingly tosses it out. (Score for Mom!)
To demonstrate my commitment to preserving her best efforts, I’ve created a dedicated wall for displaying their finest art. Currently, we are interpreting the term “finest” quite loosely with my son, just to ensure his future therapist doesn’t have too much to unpack right away.
Remember, while your little Picassos may seem extraordinarily talented now, in 15 years, you’ll likely wonder what on earth that piece represents and why it is still taking up space in your home! For more information on home insemination, check out one of our other blog posts about at-home intracervical insemination syringe kits and learn more about the process through this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
The article discusses the often overwhelming influx of children’s artwork that parents receive from preschool. While appreciating the creativity, many parents find themselves tossing the majority of it away, keeping only a select few pieces that genuinely reflect their child’s best work. The piece humorously conveys the balance between nurturing creativity and maintaining a clutter-free home, as well as the inevitable reality that not every scribble deserves a place in memory.
Keyphrase: children’s artwork management
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